Defenseman Lundin keeps healthy outlook about scratches

Mike Lundin never thought of pulling a Marek Zidlicky and going public with his displeasure over being scratched night after night.

"I don't like to cause a stir. I like to stay out of the spotlight," the Wild defenseman said, laughing. "My wife [Shelly] hears it, but that's about it."

Lundin, scratched in seven consecutive games and 16 of the previous 20, happily returned to the lineup Saturday night against Columbus. It's been a tough go for the born-and-bred Minnesotan during his one-year homecoming to the State of Hockey.

"It's hard, you get frustrated and you're not a very happy guy," said Lundin, an Apple Valley High School product who signed as a free agent after four years with Tampa Bay. "But you've got to put on the face and stay ready because it's a long season."

Lundin was labeled a "mistake-free defenseman" by Lightning coach Guy Boucher. But Wild coach Mike Yeo said it's a "tough one to explain" why Lundin has been the consistent choice to not play.

Similarly, Lundin said, "There hasn't really been one real reason, I guess, a clear reason [given] to me."

Said Yeo: "It's been long enough for him. We want to give him a chance here. He's played some really good hockey for us. He's a veteran guy that can come in and be a bit of steadying presence. We've seen at different times when maybe we needed an injection of energy, a different guy coming into the lineup can provide that for us."

With the trade deadline coming Feb. 27, Lundin wants to play, although he prefers it to be in Minnesota.

"This is where I want to be, this is who I want to play for. If it gets to that point, I guess it does, but I'm still hoping it works out here," Lundin said.

Staubitz to Houston Winger Brad Staubitz cleared waivers Saturday and was reassigned to Houston of the American Hockey League. With the Aeros, he will be paid his NHL salary.

Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher is trying to trade Staubitz, though.

"When our team was winning, he was part of it and he had a role with us and this is what happens when you lose unfortunately," Yeo said.

Welcome back Blue Jackets winger Colton Gillies, the 2007 Wild first-round pick who is "trying to prove people wrong," played his 100th NHL game -- and coincidentally, it was at Xcel Energy Center.

He was hoping some Wild players chirp him because he came up with some good retorts, although he was keeping them secret.

"They're never really that good. After you say them, you're like, 'Did I really just say that?' " Gillies joked.

Gillies said Columbus' victory over Minnesota on Tuesday was especially satisfying for Todd Richards, the Blue Jackets interim coach who coached the Wild the past two years.

"It was special for him. He did come in after and say he'd 'sleep better tonight,' " Gillies said.