Wild's Chris Stewart making the most of his ice time

One reason Bruce Boudreau endorsed the Wild signing Chris Stewart to a bargain two-year, $2.3 million contract last July 1 was because he knew the veteran's character.

If the Wild was healthy up front, Stewart likely would play a fourth-line role, and Boudreau knew after coaching him last season in Anaheim that he was not the type of guy that would create a stink.

It's why Boudreau has included the 29-year-old in the Wild's leadership group.

"He's positive all the time, he's a great cheerleader when he's not playing, he does what he has to do," Boudreau said. "He's been an outstanding leader."

Not only that, nobody in the NHL has scored as many goals with as little ice time.

Stewart entered Saturday's game against his previous team tied for sixth on the Wild with 10 goals despite ranking 16th in total ice time (454 minutes, 56 seconds) and 19th in ice time per game (10:20).

His total ice time, which included a paltry 9:46 on the power play, ranked 455th in the NHL, and his ice time per game ranked 671st.

"I'm just trying to be the best team guy I can. To win, you need guys to buy in. The athlete in me, I'm definitely ready for a bigger piece of the pie and to carry more of a load, but that's not what they need from me right now."

Stewart, acquired by the Wild at the 2015 trade deadline for a brief stint, is one of the Wild's most popular teammates. He'll fight for his teammates, either trying to change momentum or, like Thursday against Arizona, stick up for players like captain Mikko Koivu.

"You don't even know half the things he does for this team," Koivu said. "He's so valuable for us on and off the ice."

Stewart is vocal in the locker room and on the bench in order to create energy.

"I'm a little bit older, but I'm definitely on the younger side when it comes to being hip with the young guys," he said.

"There's not much really he had to say," Stewart said. "I wasn't happy with my game either. I definitely had more to give, and my ice time was being shortened. So I focused on bringing more of a physical edge and knew I had to start impacting the game that way before I could start impacting the game on the score sheet. It's weird how it all correlates."

After returning to Anaheim for the first time Jan. 8, Boudreau faced Round 2 against the Ducks on Saturday.

"I wish we didn't play them at all quite frankly," Boudreau said. "Not only are they a good team, but I don't like playing against guys I really like. There are a lot of players over there that I really grew fond of."

• Defenseman Mike Reilly, up from Iowa of the AHL with Jonas Brodin injured, played his first NHL game since Nov. 21. The Wild had Friday off, so he returned without a practice. "The systems are just about the same, so I was pretty comfortable [in the morning skate] and definitely feel ready," Reilly said before playing Anaheim.