The backdrop won't be the only change for the Wild Saturday.
In its home opener against the Penguins at Xcel Energy Center after going 0-3 on the road to start the season, the Wild will insert center Victor Rask into the lineup and scratch winger Ryan Donato.
"I hope to see that [Rask's] been pretty angry sitting out three games in a row for a veteran that you traded a good player [Nino Niederreiter] for," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We want to see him compete and for him to sort of say, 'Coach, you're never taking me out of the game ever again.'"
Donato's timeout is reflective of his fall to the fourth line and a lack of production thus far. Through three games, Donato is pointless and has five shots.
"There's gotta be a change," Donato said. "A lot of those other guys are guys that can be moving pieces or are guys that have been playing well. I don't think I've necessarily been playing my best either. That's my personal opinion not anything they've said to me either.
"I know I can play a lot better and I think if there was any moving piece, I'd be the moving piece right now at this stage and I think Victor deserves a chance. At that point, it makes sense. It's unfortunate that it comes at the home opener. But at the end of the day, it's all about the win and I'll be ready for my next opportunity."
While these moves mix up the forward group, the defense will remain the same.
Carson Soucy continues to fill out the third pairing, with Nick Seeler scratched for a third consecutive game.
