Wild: Foster frustrated by slump

The defenseman, who scored 10 goals as a rookie, got his first goal of the season Monday but has had countless other opportunities that haven't panned out.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2007 - 7:44 PM

Monday night, Kurtis Foster knew in a nanosecond that he didn't score his second goal during the Wild's 5-2 victory over Edmonton.

Mark Parrish skated toward the 6-5 defenseman and nodded, a signal that Parrish indeed had gotten his stick on Foster's blast. "Yeah, I don't like to leave too much suspense," Parrish quipped.

Foster didn't care. He will take the assist, and in the first period, he also scored his first goal of the season. Those points have come few and far between this season for Foster and the Wild's blue line.

"Every night, I'm like, 'How did [Nicklas] Lidstrom get two more points again?' " said Foster, referring to the Red Wings' five-time Norris Trophy winner. "I guess every play he makes leads to a goal."

Foster, who scored 10 goals as a rookie two seasons ago, had been as snakebit as any Wild defenseman. He has taken 27 shots this season, but also has had 19 shots blocked and 13 others miss the net.

After hitting a post Saturday against Calgary, Foster said, "I don't know what to do anymore."The thing is, with him, he's got to want the puck and he's got to shoot the puck, because he's got a great shot," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said. "Be open as much as possible. The areas that are open, get there and want the puck."

Ironically, it was only offense that wasn't clicking for the offensive-minded Foster, who has been strong defensively and has a newfound love of physical play.

"When you're more aggressive, when you feel like playing and playing hard, it's a good sign," Lemaire said.

But fighting? That's another thing. In Saturday's 4-1 victory over Calgary, Foster, who had six hits, had his first NHL fight. It came shortly after Foster nailed the Flames' Eric Nystrom on successive shifts. The two grabbed each other and twirled before Foster lost his balance and fell on his back.

"He better get some courses, couple crash courses. Maybe he can go to Boogey's school," Lemaire joked, a reference to Derek Boogaard's summer fighting camp for children. "We'll send him to Ultimate Fighting camp. Or we might buy him a jersey that says 'Ultimate Fighting' on it."

Foster, who pays attention to league happenings more than most players, was well aware Nystrom is trying to make his mark on new Flames coach Mike Keenan. So Foster believed accepting Nystrom's invitation was a sign of respect.

"He's trying to stay in the lineup and I did smoke him twice," Foster said. "He wants to show Keenan he can play."

Still waiting on Walz

Today is the seventh day since center Wes Walz last practiced with the Wild, but assistant GM Tom Lynn on Tuesday said the team didn't hear from Walz, who has been excused from the team for personal reasons.

The Wild has not yet suspended Walz, and Lynn said the team would patiently wait for Walz to contact the club.

Etc.

• The All-Star Game ballot box will open Tuesday and voting continues through Jan. 2. Fans can "Vote Now, Vote Often" on NHL.com to select the starting lineups for the Jan. 27 game in Atlanta. Wild players on the ballot are Niklas Backstrom, Marian Gaborik and Brian Rolston.

• The Wild returned Benoit Pouliot to Houston of the American Hockey League.

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com