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Minnesota Wild: Defensive Depth Paying Off For the Wild

By Danny Lambert

Oct 22, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) hits New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Wild 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) hits New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Wild 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Wild have had a few injuries on the defense already in this young season.  Still with excellent depth you’d be hard pressed to say they’ve missed a beat as the remaining players pick up the slack.

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In case you missed it Jared Spurgeon has been injured for the last three games.  That’s not to comment on his play, but rather to comment on the depth of the Minnesota Wild defensemen.  Normally the loss of a top pairing defender would cripple another team, but the Wild seem to have taken it in stride and kept on.

In the three games that Surgeon has been out the Wild are 1-1-1 and haven’t crumbled like many teams would have when losing a top defender.  Nate Prosser who has been waiting patiently has stepped in nicely, Christian Folin is continuing to improve his game, and Matt Dumba is thriving playing on the top pairing with Ryan Suter.

Related Story: Folin Has Earned His Spot

All this seems to have been by design.  Initially the Wild were in a tough spot trying to carry eight defenders on the roster, but after sending Mike Reilly down to Iowa they have found a great roster balance.

Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) delivers a check to Minnesota Wild defenseman Mike Reilly (4) during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) delivers a check to Minnesota Wild defenseman Mike Reilly (4) during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Now the Wild defensive corps is in a place where they can place a solid defender in the lineup no matter who goes down.  That’s a luxury that most NHL clubs don’t have.  Heck the Wild can’t even boast this kind of strong depth at forward.

The idea that even if another defender goes down that Reilly can be recalled and seamlessly plugged into the lineup is great.  He’s already played two games for Bruce Boudreau this season, so he knows what’s expected in the new system and would not exactly be in the position of your normal AHL call-up.

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Now I know many, including myself, called for the Wild to trade or put Prosser through waivers but it sure seems like a mistake at this point.  Reilly is still growing and getting to work on his game consistently in Iowa, while Prosser is still up and able to squeeze in when needed.  So you can see Prosser’s value from a depth point of view for injury and also that his presence is allowing the further development of Reilly.

Spurgeon will more than likely return in the next couple of games, and of course Prosser will be back to his normal spot in the press box.  But over the next 70ish games in the season he’ll be needed again.

Next: Lineup Flexibility Key to Strong Start

Had Reilly been able to show a more complete and NHL ready game he could be the extra defender.  But for now Prosser is ready to make a start when needed and provide solid defense.  It’s not flashy, it’s not glamorous, but it’s an important role.  For now the Wild will use their defensive depth to just keep rolling along no matter what the season throws their way.

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