While the Zamboni was still freshening up the ice Thursday morning after the Avalanche's skate inside Pepsi Center, one Wild player was already out there warming up.
It was forward Matt Hendricks, who earned the season-opening nod on the fourth line over winger J.T. Brown.
"I'm really excited to be a part of this group," Hendricks said. "I've got a ton of respect for the guys in this locker room. I think this is a very good hockey team. I'm in the lineup tonight. Obviously, I have to keep the job. It's an every-day type of thing. I'm playing tonight, but it doesn't mean anything unless I perform."
Hendricks signed as a free agent in the summer to handle a depth role that would likely pivot him in and out of the lineup, a responsibility he understood and accepted. But an impressive training camp, the experience he's honed from 10 seasons in the NHL and a gritty style helped him nab a spot Thursday against an Avalanche squad that has a history of pushing the Wild around – especially in Colorado.
"I just thought his training camp was really good," coach Bruce Boudreau said. " … Quite frankly, the leadership that he brings on the road I thought would really be a positive influence in the first game."
The puck has yet to drop on the season, but already Hendricks seems to have carved out a niche with the Wild – especially off the ice as a veteran of the game.
"I've seen the texts on his phone, and it's from his agent from [Connor] McDavid and from [Mark] Scheifele and from these young players that thank Matt so much for helping them guide the way," Boudreau said. "I thought those were really touching. If I was Matt, I would have taken a lot of pride in getting those texts from really great players. So he has an impact out there."
Projected lineup:
