When opportunity knocks, Wild rookie Scott punches

As the Wild fights for its playoff life sitting in 11th place in the Western Conference, three points out of a playoff spot with six games to play, defenseman John Scott lately has been doing his part by fighting.

The 6-8 rookie has put some energy into the team in two of the past three games by dropping the gloves. In each, it has put assistant equipment manager Brent Proulx to work.

Last week against the Islanders, in a fight with Joel Rechlicz, the front of Scott's game sweater ripped down the middle. Scott sat in the penalty box in only his pads from the waist up while his jersey received treatment.

"The ref came over and was like, 'Uh, you can't play with that,'" Scott said.

Then Sunday night in Edmonton, the Oilers' Zack Stortini ripped the stitched nameplate off the back of Scott's jersey during a scrap.

"Seriously," Scott said, laughing. "I don't know if it's the threads or what."

In response, the Wild now plans to pack an extra jersey for Scott. The team normally has only one for injured bruiser Derek Boogaard.

At this critical juncture, Jersey Repair 101 is the least of the Wild's worries, however. If it expects to make the playoffs, points in each of the final six games are pretty much a must.

In the middle of all that, playing big minutes on the blue line, is Scott. Six months ago, the 26-year-old took one glance at the Wild's defensive situation and figured he'd be a mainstay with AHL Houston.

"When I came into [training] camp, I was like, 'Aw, they have eight defense-men, [I have a] one-way contract, not a big chance for me to be up there,'" he said. "Now, I'm playing here with [six] games left, it's unbelievable. I never thought it would happen."

With Brent Burns out indefinitely because of a concussion, Scott has gotten an extra look.

But aside from injuries, assistant coach Mike Ramsey emphatically uses three of his fingers when explaining why Scott has lasted with the Wild since being recalled earlier this month.

"Size, strength, poise," he said. "His game is coming along over the course of the year. He knows where to be. You get a guy that's 6-8, they're not like sports cars racing around out there."

For the most part, Scott just does his part by taking up plenty of space. But as the season has progressed, so has his game.

In Saturday's loss at Calgary, Scott used his long reach to keep play alive in the Flames zone before James Sheppard scored his fifth goal of the season.

"I'm not very skilled, but any time you can help the team out, it's great," said Scott, who had seven goals and 12 assists in four years at Michigan Tech. "I'm starting to get a lot more comfortable on the ice. Starting to make passes that are close to being on the tape, instead of icing it all the time."

Scott has only one point this season in 15 games over two separate call-up stints. His scoresheet production, however, is not what is keeping him on the roster.

"He has that desperation; 'I better deliver it,'" Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough said. "He's a defender more than anything. With people out, he's getting an opportunity. With John, it's probably what they'd call a perfect storm for him."

An unrestricted free agent after this season, Scott is in part on an audition. Risebrough does not talk much about contracts during the season and of Scott would only say, "We're finding out more about him."

Though Scott has "no idea" where he stands with management, if it was left up to him, he would like to return to help the Wild make another run next season.

"I'm having the time of my life here," he said. "I go into every game knowing I've got about 10, 15 minutes to play hard, and that's all I have to do."