Jared Spurgeon returns to ice, could play Tuesday vs. San Jose

After a stretch of three games in four days, the Wild had an optional skate today.

It was lightly attended: Goalie Darcy Kuemper and skaters David Jones, Justin Fontaine, Ryan Carter, Chris Porter, Mike Reilly, Jordan Schroeder, Nate Prosser…

…and defenseman Jared Spurgeon.

That last name is probably the most important one. Spurgeon has been out with a lower body injury since blocking a Bobby Ryan shot just minutes into the Wild's loss to Ottawa last Thursday. He missed the rest of that game and the following two games against Detroit and Winnipeg, both losses.

Today was the first time Spurgeon had skated since the injury. He did some work on his own before practice, then was on the ice for the optional. "I'll take it day-by-day," he said. "It was nice to get back out there. Hopefully it responds well, and then I'll go again [Tuesday] morning.''

Coach John Torchetti said it was possible Spurgeon would play. The Wild will see how Spurgeon responds to skating today and how he feels after the morning skate Tuesday. One thing Torchetti made clear: If Spurgeon can go, he will. There will be no waiting for him to get a full practice in first. "We missed him a lot," Torchetti said. "For one he's a great competitor. He makes a good first pass. He's a great skater, smart in the offensive zone, great in the neutral zone. He makes really good decisions.''

Meanwhile, Thomas Vanek did not skate. He remains classified as day-to-day but will not play Tuesday, Torchetti said.

"We want to play the game the right way," he said. "We haven't got what we wanted in the last three. We had success when we won six in a row. We talked about that today, doing things the right way, and doing 'em for 60 minutes. Not trying to do it the shortcut way.''

And if having to tell a team that message yet again on the day before game No. 81 sounds like frustrating business, it is. "It's frustrating to everybody," Torchetti said. "When things are going right, it's an easier game, when everyone's playing the right way. But, then, when you have one or two or three that want to go the other way, then we have to get back on track.''

It appears that's a message Torchetti has been stressing since Sunday's 5-1 loss in Winnipeg; when asked if the team got the message today, Torchetti said, "Yeah, I think they got it yesterday.''

In other news, the Wild recalled forward Zac Dalpe and defenseman Christian Folin from the Iowa Wild.