Mikael Granlund, who has dealt with concussion issues causing him to miss the last 11 games, will return to the Minnesota Wild lineup Sunday against the New York Rangers.
“We’ll be realistic with our expectations, but I think there’s no better way of getting right back in there than to throw him back into the fire,” Wild head coach Mike Yeo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune prior to puck drop.
Earlier this month, the 21-year-old Granlund was essentially shut down as he continued to struggle in his recovery from a concussion on Nov. 27.
“I just know that we’re not making progress, and so what we’re doing right now, we have to take a different approach,” Yeo said at the time.
In his sophomore season with the Wild, Granlund has two goals and 12 points in 24 games.
The Wild are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
Updated: Granlund was given the second assist on Jason Pominville’s opening goal at 4:08 of the first period.