One period on the road in Dallas last season.

That's when center Eric Staal remembers playing next to winger Mikael Granlund in his tenure with the Wild.

"I think it was relatively early in the year," Staal said.

A reunion, however, seems to be in the works, as the two skated on the same line at practice Thursday in Anaheim, with Nino Niederreiter positioned on the left side.

"Obviously, he's a great player playing good every single night and he has a lot of speed up the middle," Granlund said of Staal, who paces the Wild in po. "He pushes their 'D' back and opens up some space."

This wasn't the only change the Wild made up front during its afternoon session ahead of its Friday meeting with the Ducks at Honda Center.

Charlie Coyle shifted from center to right wing on a line with winger Jason Zucker and center Mikko Koivu. Recent call-up Joel Eriksson Ek centered wingers Tyler Ennis and Chris Stewart. And wingers Daniel Winnik, Marcus Foligno and Zack Mitchell worked with center Matt Cullen.

"Obviously, we're looking for a little more of an offensive spark," Staal said. "Sometimes when you throw some guys around and make some changes, you can do that."