Minnesota Wild Bring Youth by Recalling Marco Scandella

The Minnesota Wild are off to a pretty good start to the 2012-2013 lockout-shortened NHL season with a 2-2-1 record through five games and five points, which puts them atop the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. Of course, that point total won’t keep them in first place for long, but they’re hoping to add to it by recalling defenseman Marco Scandella from the Houston Aeros of the AHL.

While the lockout was cutting NHL games, Scandella was shredding the AHL ice in Houston, tallying 12 points in 24 games with the Aeros this year. He obviously was playing above his talent level in the AHL and the Wild are hoping the 22-year-old defenseman can bring some of that youthful energy to their NHL franchise that needs a boost after a week of play.

Scandella is no stranger to the spotlight of the NHL as he skated with the Wild in 63 games last season, tallying 12 points while blocking 106 shots, second-best among all rookies in 2011-2012. Of course, with youth comes the ability to take more punishment and Scandella has already shown he can do that by skating over 35 and a half minutes in an April 2012 game.

The Wild can take their game to a new level with Scandella, who will undoubtedly provide a spark to a team that is on the verge of breaking out in the lockout-shortened NHL season.