The Wild placed defenseman/right wing Stu Bickel on waivers this morning. I had a feeling a roster move would be made today. With no games 'til Friday, keeping this many players is just wasting cap space and money. Plus, at some point, the Wild had to activate Justin Fontaine off injured reserve.
Fontaine has recovered from a strained glute.
The hope is Bickel will slide through waivers because the team values his versatility and toughness. We'll see tomorrow if other teams do as well.
Bickel was made expendable especially by the recent signing of Ryan Carter, who brings grit and toughness to the fourth line. And with two rookie defensemen making up the third pair, the Wild's not going to make its first waiver move defensemen Keith Ballard or Nate Prosser.
Kuemper honored
Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper, who opened the season with back-to-back shutouts of Colorado, is the NHL's Second Star of the week. He had 46 saves in the two games.
Tomas Plekanec of Montreal is the First Star after getting four goals as the Habs started 3-0.
Sidney Crosby of the Penguins was the Third Star. He has six points, including three goals, in two games.
