Mikael Granlund Misses Two Games With Illness, Can Things Get Worse?

It's been a tough season for the Minnesota Wild in terms of injuries. The team has lost 264 man-games (and counting) with players being hurt and news coming out Tuesday that Mikko Koivu will miss at least two more weeks after re-aggravating an earlier shoulder injury doesn't help. At times Minnesota's lineup has looked closer to that of its AHL affiliate Houston and half the top-six (Koivu, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse) is currently on injured reserve.

Sadly that string of bad luck has extended across the Atlantic to Finland and Mikael Granlund.

Behind this jersey, the savior himself! (photo from Zimbio)

Granlund, First Round Bust's top Wild prospect, has missed the last two games for HIFK with an illness.
The first game a 6-2 loss to the Lahti Pelicans, saw regular linemates Eero Somervuori and brother Markus held pointless, go a combined -9 and Minnesota signee Dennis Endras (who is presently loaned to the club) get lit up. Today's game was a better performance for HIFK as they defeated the Espoo Blues 4-1.

Despite being sick with something (although the flu is working its way through Finland, there's no confirmation on that's what affecting Mikael) and missing time captaining his country in the 2012 World Junior Championships, Granlund is third in SM-Liiga scoring with 51 points (20 goals - 31 assists) in 45 games.

Not bad for someone who just turned 20 and is playing against guys almost twice his age.

At the very least, Granlund's health is something to keep an eye on as he looks to play a major role on the Minnesota Wild for years to come beginning next season.