Iowa Wild Announce Training Camp Roster; Dowell Clears Waivers

Sep 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser (39) battle for the puck during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Iowa Wild have announced their official training camp roster.

Per the team’s website:

"Iowa Wild Training Camp Roster:Forwards: Tyler Graovac, Erik Haula, Kris Foucault, Gary Steffes, Raphael Bussieres, Stephane Veilleux, Chad Rau, Warren Peters, Ryley Grantham, Carson McMillan, Josh Caron, Mike Hellyer, Marshall Everson, Taylor Matson, Zack Phillips.Defensemen: Carl Sneep, Colton Jobke, Jonathon Blum, Jon Landry, Kyle Medvec, Brian Connelly, Blake Kessel, Corbin Baldwin, Steven Kampfer, Nicholas Rioux, Tyler Yaworski.Goalies: Darcy Kuemper, John Curry, Mark Guggenberger.The Iowa Wild will play a preseason game in Chicago on Friday evening, meeting the Wolves in Franklin Park, IL at 7 p.m.Fans will get their first look at the Iowa Wild on Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena for the Green-White Scrimmage. The event is open to the public. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item (one per person). All donations will go to movethefood.org. Seating will be on a first come, first-served basis."

Depending on Minnesota’s questionable goalie situation, Johan Gustafsson will likely be re-joining Iowa shortly after a brief call-up that saw him give up four third period goals on 11 shots in relief of Josh Harding last night.

In other Wild news, the unconventional fourth line of Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter looked very intriguing during the first half of last night’s game. Not so much during the second half–then again–no one had a real good second half from Minnesota. With Jake Dowell having cleared waivers, Minnesota has the first 10 games/30 days to decide whether or not to send him down before they have to put him on waivers again. It all rests on what kind of lineup Mike Yeo chooses to ice, and it starts with Minnesota’s opening night roster against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Speaking of the first 10 games, it appears 2012 7th overall pick Mathew Dumba has made the team–for now. The Wild brass are in no hurry to make a decision on the dynamic young defenseman yet. That said, there’s a good chance he’ll receive a solid chunk of ice-time in his nine game audition as Minnesota looks to see whether he’s ready to make the fulltime leap to the NHL or should be sent back to Red Deer for more seasoning.

For Dumba, it’s a simple matter of playing to his strengths, keeping his eyes and ears open on the ice and listening to what the coaching staff tell him to do. Whether he makes the team or not, the decision is up to him and how he makes use of his ice-time. If he can prove he belongs in Minnesota as a legitimate NHL defenseman, he’ll be fine.

If he does prove so, it could mean Nate Prosser’s time in Minnesota is at an end. With Ryan Suter and Keith Ballard having the night off last night, Jonas Brodin switched to the left side on the top pairing and Prosser stepped in to take Brodin’s usual place on the right side. The fact that it was Prosser and not Spurgeon or Dumba tells me that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is actively shopping the Elk River, Minnesota native.

Contrary to what many fans believe, Prosser is a very legitimate bottom-pairing NHL defenseman. Chuck Fletcher and Mike Yeo like his game, even Star Tribune Wild beat writer Michael Russo likes his game, why can’t the fans? He deserves a shot at playing somewhere, it’s just not going to come in Minnesota, I’m afraid. I don’t see a move coming in the immediate future, but don’t be surprised if Fletcher pulls the trigger if Matt Dumba’s potentially impressive performance forces his hand.

With the team having today off, don’t expect any cuts to happen today. We’ll keep you updated should anything happen.

Follow Dakota Case at Twitter.com/Dakota_case