Bickel, Zucker show they can play two spots

PITTSBURGH – While the Wild brought a quality lineup here for Thursday's exhibition game, it was also a tryout of sorts for several players.

Roster contenders Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, Christian Folin, Brett Sutter, Cody Almond and Stu Bickel all played, with Bickel and Zucker playing new positions so coach Mike Yeo and management could get a look.

Bickel, a defenseman, and Zucker, a left wing, both played right wing.

"The more versatile a player, the more opportunities are there for him," Yeo said before the Wild's 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins. That proved especially true when midway through the third period, Bickel sat with the defense because Keith Ballard left with what's believed to be a minor lower-body injury.

"It is a luxury," Yeo said of Bickel's ability to play two positions.

Bickel played forward through high school before transitioning to the blue line in juniors and with the Gophers. He guesses he played 20-25 games at forward for the New York Rangers over parts of two seasons, so Yeo talked to him this past summer about playing both positions in training camp.

"I'll do whatever I have to do [to make the team]," Bickel said.

"A huge part of Nino's success and development as a player was the fact we were able to play him left wing, right wing, play him on top lines, play him in more of a checking role," Yeo said. "That versatility helped him gain more of an opportunity and with that more experience. We want to see what other guys are capable of doing that, too."

Bickel looked comfortable on a line with Almond and Sutter, while Zucker skated with Matt Cooke and Erik Haula. Zucker had a tough game physically, taking a couple of big hits, being high-sticked once and getting handled in a fight with 6-4 Simon Despres. But he was strong on the penalty kill for the second consecutive preseason game.

"We're trying to give him every chance, and he's buying into it and doing a good a job," Yeo said of Zucker.

In his preseason debut, other than a couple of boo-boos playing the puck, Darcy Kuemper had a solid outing, giving up one goal on 15 shots. Dumba was impressive at times, assisting on Thomas Vanek's power-play goal. He had two shots in 24 minutes, 25 seconds.

"He's a real dynamic defenseman. He's a guy with a cannon for a shot," Penguins coach Mike Johnston said before the game. He coached Dumba the second half of last season at WHL Portland. "He can really rip it. … He's ready for sure. He's a good all-around player and great young kid with lots of enthusiasm. He brings lots of energy to the rink every day."

"Maybe the brass will get confused which Sutter got two," Brett Sutter joked.

• The Wild reassigned newly signed forward Hunter Warner to Prince Albert of the Western Hockey League. The Wild is expected to make several roster cuts Friday as American Hockey League Iowa is set to begin camp.