Voros is skating his way clear of roster dilemma facing Wild

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By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: December 6, 2007 - 6:40 PM

Aaron Voros' outstanding play and suddenly restrictive contract status have changed the dynamic of the Wild, which has too many players and is close to having to make complicated roster decisions.

Voros was the only Wild skater who could be sent to the minors without having to clear waivers. However, Voros has now played more than 10 games, meaning he'd have to clear waivers to be returned to Houston.

In other words, 29 other teams could steal him.

"I would say this: I wouldn't feel very comfortable putting him on waivers right now," General Manager Doug Risebrough said.

So, in essence, Voros has won himself a job in Minnesota. But the Wild has two more players than the maximum 23.

Mikko Koivu and Petteri Nummelin are on injured reserve, but Nummelin says he's perfectly healthy. Koivu (broken leg) is still not practicing and Derek Boogaard is out because of back spasms.

The Wild is close to having to dispose of one, or even two bodies, although defenseman Nick Schultz sustained a throat injury Wednesday against Philadelphia. He spent the night at a hospital and won't travel to Detroit and Columbus. The only game Schultz has lost in his NHL career to injury was Feb. 8, 2002.

"Realistically, I don't think you ever play with 23," Risebrough said. "There's usually 24 because of injuries, so the way I look at it, I have a one-player decision, not a two-player decision."

Risebrough would not comment on specifics, but here are potential scenarios to trim the roster:

• Trade a defenseman: There appears to be four defensemen -- Keith Carney, Sean Hill, Kurtis Foster and Nummelin -- rotating the final two blue-line spots.

The Wild isn't trading Hill. He adds a physical dimension the Wild doesn't have and Risebrough noted Wednesday that his comedic personality keeps his teammates loose.

Carney, Foster and Nummelin could be trade bait, although Risebrough would rather not deal a defenseman -- "Some say we only need seven [defensemen], but then if two guys get hurt ..." he said -- suddenly minor leaguers are manning the Wild blue line.

Plus, Schultz is now hurt.

• Let Nummelin go home: Nummelin's making $1.2 million, so he's not about to quit. But at age 35, Nummelin is not happy as an extra defenseman, let alone an eighth (extra, extra) defenseman.

Undoubtedly, the Finnish Nummelin will return to play in Switzerland next season. Maybe the Wild lets him go now?

• Put Matt Foy on waivers: Foy's played well lately, but when the Wild is healthy at forward, Foy is always an extra. Affected by the numbers game, Foy looks to be the odd guy out, and the Wild might have to try to ship him to Houston via waivers.

Another option is to put Todd Fedoruk back on waivers, but that seems doubtful.

Boogaard is a keeper

Risebrough says he's not looking to trade Boogaard, who plays less than 3½ minutes a game, now that he has Voros and Fedoruk, hard-nosed players who can fight but also play regular minutes.

"Boogaard's a part of the team and he creates a lot of confidence for players," Risebrough said. "I'd even say, don't be surprised if Boogey plays more because he's got the same type of players to play with."

Etc.

• The Wild denied Canada's request to release rookie James Sheppard for the world junior championships.

• Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, who played for St. Paul's Harding High, was surprised by 15 of his former teammates for lunch Wednesday. "We told a lot of war stories," he said.

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