Wild rookie Mikael Granlund will be scratched for game vs. Canucks

The Minnesota Wild had four players skating on their third line during Wednesday's practice, including struggling wingers Devin Setoguchi and Mikael Granlund.

That meant that one of them likely would be scratched for Thursday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center.

Turns out it will be Granlund.

The Star Tribune reported the rookie would be the odd man out for at least one night. He hasn't missed a game this season but struggled while playing center on the team's second line.

Granlund and Setoguchi were demoted to fourth-line wingers for Monday night's loss at Phoenix. Granlund, the ninth pick in the 2010 NHL draft, has one goal and two assists in nine games.

The Star Tribune also reported that Setoguchi will be on the fourth line with center Zenon Konopka and the recently acquired Mike Rupp.

Judd Zulgad is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts Judd & Dubay from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays and "Saturday Morning SportsTalk" from 10 a.m. to noon on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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