Happy New Year everybody.
The Wild had an 80-minute, strenuous practice down at the X this morning in which power play and defensive-zone structure were huge priorities. It ended with a skateathon.
Good work day, players called it.
Also good?
Three players returned to practice this morning, including Devin Setoguchi, who hurt his knee Dec. 6 on a check he didn't like from the man he was traded for, Brent Burns. He lasted the entire practice and skated on the No. 1 line and No. 1 power-play unit. Setoguchi has missed 12 games. But does the fact he was so engrained in practice mean he could actually return Wednesday in Vancouver after only a second practice?
"Definitely a good chance," Setoguchi said.
The Wild will make the decision after seeing how he holds up during a second tough practice Tuesday, but coach Mike Yeo said, "We could use him."
Also back in practice are Casey Wellman (wrist, nine games missed) and Clayton Stoner (groin, four games missed). Both looked good. The Wild will bring nine defensemen on the road trip, Yeo said. Obviously Stoner won't play initially, but with Marco Scandella, scratched last game, likely returning against Vancouver, there will be two defensemen scratched. Lately, the likeliest candidates are Mike Lundin and Greg Zanon.
