The Wild's new look after a series of trades earlier this week will finally roll out Saturday, as center Victor Rask will make his debut against the Blue Jackets at Xcel Energy Center.
"It's going to be fun to get started here," Rask said. "I've only heard good things about this organization and the fans, so it's going to be a lot of fun."
Since he didn't arrive in the Twin Cities until Friday afternoon, Rask didn't get in a practice with his new teammates before his first Wild game. He did skate Saturday morning, though, and will start on a line with wingers Zach Parise and Pontus Aberg – who Rask played with before during international play and summer hockey.
Aberg was acquired from the Ducks Wednesday, while Rask came aboard the next day in a swap with the Hurricanes that sent winger Nino Niederreiter to Carolina.
"I could definitely sense something," Rask said when asked if the trade surprised him. "I hadn't played much lately. Definitely had a little feeling about it, but you never know if it's going to happen."
His addition to the Wild's lineup won't be the only change vs. Columbus.
Defenseman Louie Belpedio will make his season debut after getting recalled Friday from the American Hockey League.
In 40 games with Iowa, Belpedio racked up 10 points (three goals) and ranked first among team defensemen in shots (80). He made his NHL debut last season with the Wild, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to tally two points (both assists) in his first game.
