Move made to add to depth at center

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 22, 2009 - 5:21 PM

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WILD NOTES

Up next: 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Boston Xcel EnergyCenter • TV: Ch. 45 (830-AM)

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Andrew Ebbett is tired of living out of a suitcase and bouncing from team to team.

The former University of Michigan standout hopes he's finally found a home in Minnesota after being claimed off waivers Saturday for the second time this season, this time by the Wild.

"I'd heard I might be going there about a month ago, so I was hoping they'd take a chance on me this time," said Ebbett, 26, who was placed on waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks five weeks after they had claimed him from Anaheim. "I'm just hoping for an opportunity to prove myself and prove I can be an everyday player in this league."

Last month, the Wild considered putting in a claim for Ebbett, a fast, skilled albeit 5-9 center. Ultimately, the Wild decided against it.

But a lot has changed since. The Wild has sunk to near the bottom of the Western Conference, and the team's lack of center depth has become increasingly obvious to GM Chuck Fletcher.

"It's difficult to get centermen, and Andrew's a skilled center who skates well, works hard and had some offensive success last season in Anaheim," Fletcher said. "So we felt this was a good opportunity to add some skill and depth to our center group. It's up to Andrew to perform and [coach Todd Richards] to decide how to use him.

"We'll see how it fits, but it was really a low-risk proposition."

Fletcher said injuries didn't play a big factor. Even though the Wild was minus five forwards in Friday's victory over the Islanders, the Wild's expecting Martin Havlat, Chuck Kobasew and Benoit Pouliot to return to practice this week, maybe even by Monday.

Ebbett, who collected 144 points in 167 games from 2002 to 2006 at Michigan, scored 166 points in 173 games with Binghamton, Portland and Iowa of the American Hockey League.

"He's a fast little player," said defenseman John Scott, who played against Ebbett when he was at Michigan Tech. "He's tough to play against. Just a shifty, good player."

With the Ducks last season, Ebbett scored 32 points in 48 games and centered Teemu Selanne on the second line in the playoffs. During the Ducks' opening-round victory over San Jose, Richards was a Sharks' assistant and was impressed with Ebbett.

"He was put in a role to produce and create some offensive chances, and he did that," Richards said. "He's not big in size, but he will provide a lot of speed. And he has the ability to make plays. I'm excited to see what he can add to our lineup."

Ebbett said he never fit in Chicago.

"I was kind of all over the place," he said. "I was playing fourth-line right wing, then was given a couple opportunities to play with Patrick Kane.

"We had some good chances and then next thing you know I was back on the fourth line and a healthy scratch the last two games. I didn't really get any answers.

"I just want that chance to be able to play and get in the positions to have success and put points on the board. I like playing with guys that like to shoot the puck. I like to give my wingers the puck as much as I can in good scoring positions, and I think my work ethic is my biggest attribute. I never give up on any plays."

With centers Mikko Koivu, Eric Belanger, Kyle Brodziak and Ebbett now in the fold, there's a chance James Sheppard will remain at wing for the time being. Sheppard played a strong game there Friday.

Notes

• The Wild will have a father-son trip from Jan. 2 to 5, consisting of a home game against New Jersey and three days, including a game, in Chicago. The Wild held a father-son trip in 2006-07 and a mother-son trip in 2007-08.

• Owen Nolan (toe) and Shane Hnidy ("banged up") missed Saturday's practice but are expected to be ready for Wednesday's against Boston.

• The Wild reassigned forwards Danny Irmen and Nathan Smith to Houston.

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