Wild Place Stu Bickel On Waivers

Wild defenseman Stu Bickel has been placed on waivers, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.

Bickel is on a two-way deal with the Wild worth $600,000 in the NHL, according to Cap Geek. Bickel has been a source of discussion for many as he and the team’s decision to make him a fourth line forward represents a philosophy that values the enforcer role over talent and possession.

More specifically, it values the enforcer player who offers little elsewhere on the ice. Moving him to forward, a role that he never looked very comfortable in during the preseason, from defense values the presence of that role over the need to field a fourth line who you can count on as the Wild have in the season’s opening two games. The fourth line — featuring Kyle Brodziak, Jason Zucker, and Ryan Carter — has been key to the Wild’s success in the first two games.

It appeared that Bickel’s days were numbered when the Wild signed forward Ryan Carter just before the start of the season. Carter was on a professional try out (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils at the time. Carter fills the role Bickel had been slotted into on the team’s fourth line, but also has a little more prowess and experience as a forward. He also has more playoff experience, going to the Cup finals with the New Jersey Devils when Zach Parise was captain.

Bickel remained in the line-up — though a healthy scratch — after Carter’s signing, but the Wild have to make a roster move in order to activate Justin Fontaine, who has been out since mid-way through camp with a strained glute Sending Bickel to Iowa could be the first step in bringing Fontaine back into the lineup.

With the need to send someone to AHL Iowa in order to bring Fontaine back into the fold, Bickel is the obvious choice of the three players who have been a healthy scratch. The other two, Keith Ballard and Nate Prosser, will likely be needed at some point with the Wild having two rookie defensemen as the third pairing in the first two games.

Update:
The Wild made it official at 11am this morning.