Three Wild training camp questions: Defensive pairs, fourth-line candidates and chemistry

The Wild has hatched a new setup for the power play, appointed two alternate captains and run the gamut in practice, from shootouts to defensive-zone coverage.

But a week into training camp, the Wild still has questions about its roster as it readies for an Oct. 15 season opener at Anaheim.

Those answers should begin to emerge as camp resumes Thursday with a preseason game in Colorado.

Free-agent signee Alex Goligoski has joined captain Jared Spurgeon on the top pairing, and Jonas Brodin is reunited with Matt Dumba. But the third pairing remains a mystery.

Veteran Dmitry Kulikov, another addition in free agency, is penciled in, but the team is auditioning Jon Merrill and Jordie Benn to be Kulikov's partner. (All three are left shots, but Kulikov has been lining up on the right side.)

Performance in preseason games will be a significant factor in the debate.

"Just a complete game," Kulikov said when asked about the style he envisions for the third pairing. "I'm liking the philosophy of the coach. Dean [Evason] talked about the defensemen should always join the rush. I like it. I feel I can show my offensive side a lot more with this system. Be responsible in your end and I like to hit, too, and just the physical element as well when needed.

The team's top three lines haven't wavered so far in camp, but the Wild has a vacancy on the fourth unit; one spot as an extra is also probably up for grabs.

Adam Beckman, Matt Boldy, Connor Dewar, Brandon Duhaime and Marco Rossi are among the players that have taken turns practicing with the Wild's NHLers. Even though it looks like these forwards are competing for a depth role, the team is looking for the best player to emerge from camp.

"I kind of approach it more just as an opportunity," Boldy said. "Just approach it that way and go out there and do well and do the drills right and make them keep me there."

Joel Eriksson Ek has been elevated to the top line to work with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello after scoring a career-high 19 goals last season, a trio that's also been together for the power play where Kaprizov has moved from the middle to the wall.

Newcomer Frederick Gaudreau is with Kevin Fiala and Victor Rask, and Ryan Hartman has replaced Eriksson Ek between Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno, who was named an alternate captain along with Dumba to replace Zach Parise and Ryan Suter after their off-season buyouts.

All regulars will participate in at least three exhibition games, while most will appear in four; a few will even suit up for five.

After the 6-2 loss last Saturday at St. Louis in the Wild's first preseason game featured a younger lineup, the team will run out a more veteran look Thursday against the Avalanche.