We’ve written quite a bit already about the problems facing Minnesota -- a multitude of injuries, and minimal space under the salary cap -- so now, an update:
On Wednesday, the Wild recalled three players from AHL Iowa -- Zach Mitchell, Christoph Bertschy, Mike Reilly -- and put Marco Scandella (high ankle sprain) on long-term injured reserve, where he’ll join forward Zac Dalpe (knee surgery).
The cap savings from Scandella and Dalpe have allowed Wild GM Chuck Fletcher to bring up Reilly, who’s played well for Iowa this season.
He has seven points in seven games and has been productive on the power play, which is important -- Minnesota’s PP is an ugly 5-for-34 this season.
Bertschy has been up-and-down repeatedly this year, so there’s not much new on that front. Mitchell, an undrafted free agent that’s been with the organization for three seasons, could make his NHL debut tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.
As for the injured guys...
Scandella and Dalpe are out long-term, obviously. The Wild also don’t expect Zach Parise or Erik Haula to play on this current road swing, which started with Saturday’s 1-0 loss in Colorado and continues through Pittsburgh (tomorrow), Philly (Saturday) and Ottawa (Sunday).
As you’d expect, all these injuries -- and constant roster flux from cap-related recalls -- has taken its toll. Minnesota was off to a solid start this year but has come back to earth recently, scoring just one goal in consecutive losses to the Sabres and Avs.