Familiarity with coach, system helps Prosser

Nate Prosser has been through this before: The call, the flight, the (sometimes) sleepless night and finally the chance to play in an NHL game.

But the time, the 25-year-old defenseman said, it was easier.

Or at least less stressful. The 6-2, 205-pound Elk River native was officially added to the roster Saturday, replacing injured Greg Zanon (groin), who was put on injured reserve. Prosser had one assist and was a plus-4 in seven games with the Houston Aeros this season.

Saturday, paired with Justin Falk -- his partner in Houston last season -- Prosser was part of a young defensive core that shined in a 1-0 victory over the Red Wings.

Prosser was on the ice for 19:05, and he was used by coach Mike Yeo in crucial situations.

"I was just trying to be ready when my number was called," Prosser said.

This was Prosser's third chance to play with the Wild, after seeing action in three games during the 2009-10 season and two last season. This time, though, it was a little easier because he was playing for Yeo, who coached the Aeros last season.

He looked comfortable Saturday, even in the face of a skilled Detroit team that pushed the play as the game clock wound down. Afterward Yeo praised the poise of all his young defensemen.

It was a nice end for a whirlwind 24 hours for Prosser.

He was almost giddy during pregame skate, all smiles. Afterward he said he got the call (Friday), got in on a late flight, got some food and some sleep. Then, in addition to getting ready to play, he had to get more than 20 tickets for family and friends. That couldn't be cheap. But who's counting?

"It feels good [to be here]," Prosser said. "It feels real good."

Bulmer sits After playing in the Wild's first nine games, winger Brett Bulmer was a healthy scratch Saturday night.

But Yeo tried to end any speculation when asked if putting Brad Staubitz in the lineup and sitting Bulmer had anything to do with that 10-game threshold.

"No, no, no," Yeo said. "We just wanted to put the best lineup on the ice that we think we have a chance to win this game with. ... This is just for tonight and we'll see what happens tomorrow."

Yeo said he told Bulmer the same thing. Indeed, after practice Friday, Yeo spoke at some length about how pleased he was with Bulmer's play. At that point he said he hadn't decided on the lineup for the game against Detroit, but cautioned even then that, should Bulmer sit, nothing should be read into it.

He reiterated that after pregame skate Saturday. Yeo said it had more to do with wanting to get Staubitz back in the lineup after having been a healthy scratch against Anaheim on Thursday.

"So let's give him a chance to respond and see how he comes to the rink," Yeo said of Staubitz. "He's a real popular guy in the room. ... If you know our team, the impact he has on the rest of the group, that makes it a little easier to understand the decision."