Brodin sidelined for several weeks, Granlund for a few weeks; Gophers pregame

UPDATED WITH GOPHERS-MAVERICKS LINEUP BELOW

Bad night for the Wild and the Houston Aeros in Oklahoma City last night.

Jonas Brodin, a 2011 first-round pick and stud defenseman that would have a chance to make the Wild if the lockout ends, will miss several weeks with a broken clavicle.

Mikael Granlund, a 2010 first-round pick fresh off being named AHL Rookie of the Month, will likely miss a few weeks with a muscle strain in the lower part of his right leg. The Wild will know more possibly later today, but that's the thinking, hope and look of his situation right now.

To see video of the two incidents, see last night's blog.

Brodin was nailed in last night's game by 2011 first overall pick Taylor Hall. Hall received a match penalty for a hit to the head, but Hall contended it was a shoulder to shoulder and Brodin's injury would seem to verify that. He was supposed to be suspended for tonight's game, but Sportsnet's John Shannon reports that the AHL rescinded the match penalty and he is eligible to play tonight (although he may not).

At the very least it was a charge by Hall and at the very least Brodin will be sidelined for a long time pending an examination by Wild doctors.

The plan is for Brodin to come to Minnesota early next week for an MRI to see the extent of the injury. Typically, the standard for an injury like this is six to eight weeks to heal, but GM Chuck Fletcher said doctors need to take a look at pictures to see if it may be quicker or longer.

"He's stunned," Fletcher said. "He was kind of shielded on the play. I don't think he saw Hall coming and it came out of the blue. It's not good, but broken bones should heal and he'll get good care. It's a shame. He was playing so well and getting great experience."

As for Granlund, he landed awkwardly after taking a hit in the corner. He's getting more tests today and was feeling better this morning, but the early indication is he will miss the rest of the weekend and maybe next weekend and hopefully be back in two weeks.

"You see him go down and think the worst, but this may be relatively good news," Fletcher said.

The Aeros rallied from a 3-0 deficit last night to tie it at 3-3 before losing 4-3. They dominated the game by all accounts, too.

"Tough loss. But the loss is a lot less significant than the injuries," Fletcher said.

Jason Zucker is returning from an injury tonight in Oklahoma City, and he will be centered by Johan Larsson and red-hot Charlie Coyle.

The Aeros are severely banged up on the blue line. Marco Scandella has a wrist injury, although it's thought to be minor. Kris Fredheim is hurt and likely sidelined another few weeks. The Aeros wanted to recall Kyle Medvec to replace Brodin from ECHL Orlando, but he is hurt. So they turned to an Orlando player named Corbin Baldwin, who is a tough customer that can take care of himself, but he's not some goon called up in response to last night's injuries.

That's what some have painted the recall as, but the Wild has few other defensemen right now. If the Wild wanted to call up a fighter to make a statement, it would have brought in Josh Caron. Baldwin and Sean Lorenz are basically the only D left right now to call up with Medvec hurt, so Baldwin was chosen.

Plus, Granlund's injury didn't come from a dirty play, and whether you think Hall's infraction was dirty or not, he's suspended tonight AND Taylor Hall is not some goon.

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Live from Mankato's Verizon Wireless Arena, the Gophers and Mavericks will play in 90 minutes.

Same lineups from last night for both teams (Mike Hastings has scrambled his lines for the Mavericks), and my assumption is Adam Wilcox will return to the nets for the Gophers.

Gophers (5-1, 2-1 in the WCHA)

Forwards
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Zach Budish
Nate Condon-Erik Haula-Christian Isackson
Ben Marshall-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz
Tom Serratore-A.J. Michaelson-Justin Holl
Defensemen
Jake Parenteau-Nate Schmidt
Mike Reilly-Mark Alt
Seth Helgeson-Brady Skjei
Goalies
Adam Wilcox
Michael Shibrowski
Minnesota State Mankato (2-3-2, 0-3)
Forwards
Brett Knowles-J-P LaFontaine-Eriah Hayes
Chase Grant-Matt Leitner-Zach Lehrke
Bryce Gervais-Teddy Blueger-Johnny McInnis
Dylan Margonari-Eli Zuck-Max Gaede
Defensemen
Tyler Elbrecht-Josh Nelson
Zach Palmquist-Nick Buchanan
Brett Stern-Jon Jutzi
Goalies
Phil Cook
Stephon Williams