GM Chuck Fletcher always asserts that recalls and reassignments often occur after he asks the coaches what lineup they want to ice against a particular team.
That could explain this morning's recall of center Tyler Graovac, whose play was so not up to snuff a week ago, the Wild risked losing him on waivers simply to come up with a new recipe (Fletcher's word) for a fourth line coach Bruce Boudreau admitted he didn't trust against opposing top lines in the defensive zone.
But with one game before the five-day bye and the Wild hosting the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, the Wild recalled Graovac from AHL Iowa this morning after reassigning Alex Tuch yesterday.
Why?
Practice isn't until 11, but my guess: Despite the Erik Haula-centered fourth line being one of the Wild's best lines since Haula moved into that role with Graovac's departure, Boudreau likely wants two trusted defensive lines going up against the lines of Artem Anisimov and Jonathan Toews on Tuesday.
Upgrading Haula, who usually plays well against the Blackhawks, and giving the speedy center a regular shift would give Boudreau that along with the "shutdown line" of Mikko Koivu's trio (a shutdown line that shuts down by lighting other teams up, typically, as Kent Youngblood wrote today here).
Also, the Zach Parise-Charlie Coyle-Alex Tuch line was, analytically, the Wild's worst in its win vs. Nashville.
So, I'd guess Coyle moves back to wing against the Blackhawks.