Lemaire sits Clutterbuck again, challenges him to play at his best

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: December 2, 2008 - 8:39 AM

It was almost predictable, really.

The second Jacques Lemaire sniffed a hint of complacency, the Wild coach scratched fan favorite Cal Clutterbuck on Saturday in Nashville. The Wild's 21-year-old hits leader sat again Monday against Colorado.

"He started to slow down and that was after my comments that he had a spot on the team, so that's why I'm going to try to hold [my comments] next time," Lemaire said.

While Lemaire said it was not a "wake-up call," Lemaire said, "[Clutterbuck's] got to be at his best to play regularly, and if he's not, he can't play regularly.

"I know one thing. You see him in practice [Monday morning]? He's ready to come back. And he's going to work. He's a good kid, he wants to play, he wants to do well. But it doesn't take much to drop -- less concentration, less focus on little things."

Clutterbuck said he didn't feel comfortable Friday against Tampa Bay.

"It was a choppy game and with the line juggling and everything, it was hard for me to get into the game," he said. "I don't think it's a question of me not working hard. I just have to keep working hard in practice and hopefully I'll get my chance again."

Craig Weller, who was scratched eight games in a row, earned a second consecutive game because of a strong game in Nashville.

"Three weeks without a game, it gets a little frustrating," Weller said. "It's hard to keep mentally focused because you never know when you're going to play. ... It's a little bit of a knock to the confidence, but I'm looking to build on [Saturday]."

Weller's face looked as if he's played every game this season. It was swollen and there were myriad shades of blues and browns.

"I definitely took a few knocks," Weller said.

Johnsson gets the 'C'

Proving the rotating captaincy is still rotating, Lemaire took the "C" from Mikko Koivu, who has played well, and gave it to defenseman Kim Johnsson for December.

"Johnny's been really solid for us, playing 24 to 26 minutes a game," Lemaire said. "He's a guy that gets a lot of pucks out of our end, skates well, is a good example in practices. ... He's upgraded his game big time this year."

Lemaire said it was tough not retaining Koivu for a third month because he's such a "professional."

But Johnsson, the last player taken in the 1994 draft (N.Y. Rangers), was excited to wear the "C" for the first time "in the big leagues," and said sarcastically, "I think Mikko will have [the captaincy] a couple more times [in his career]."

Belanger's back

Center Eric Belanger, still in obvious discomfort Monday morning, returned after missing one game because of a leg injury.

"I can play through a lot of pain," said Belanger, who last year was supposed to miss four weeks because of a broken toe but returned in two.

Lemaire was ecstatic to have Belanger back.

"You know when you play with three centers, and you get one in the box, you only have two left," Lemaire said, laughing, referring to Benoit Pouliot's two third- period penalties Saturday. "Now it's funny, but you should have seen me behind the bench..."

On his three seconds of ice time Saturday, Derek Boogaard said, "I actually think they're being generous." Boogaard also played one shift Oct. 14 in Atlanta, "but that was a full shift -- 30 seconds."

Officially, it was actually 29.