The Wild signed Vinni Lettieri to a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2023, when NHL Free Agency opened. The speedy forward has recorded 117 goals and 232 career points in the AHL across 271 games with the Hartford Wolfpack, San Diego Gulls, Providence Bruins, and the Iowa Wild. 

After a great preseason with the Wild, Lettieri was sent down to the AHL where he has notched one goal and three points in four games. But now he has been recalled after the Wild sent Sammy Walker down to the AHL.

Wild head coach Dean Evason stated during the preseason that Lettieri surprised him a little bit. Everyone talks about how fast he is and offensive but his grit level and the way he expressed himself physically was the biggest surprise to Evason after watching him in camp. 

"He's a right shot and gives us another opportunity to take faceoffs," Evason said on the recall of Lettieri. "He had a really strong camp, played not only skillfully but gritty as well. So that's what we are looking for him to bring to our hockey club."

Pat Maroon will stay on the second line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson which would put Lettieri on the fourth line with Brandon Duhaime and Connor Dewar. 

Lettieri's speed will be seen playing with two more speedy guys which will make for a good fourth line. It won't be a full checking line, although it could be, the fourth line has the potential to be a speedy line that could score 5-on-5 but also be a shutdown line. 

"I think just doing the little things right," Lettieri said after being called up. "Just trying to bring energy, finish checks, and get shots."

Matt Boldy is expected to go on the road with the Wild but it isnt clear if he will play any games on the trip. If he would play it would probably be the last game of the road trip against New Jersey. 

This gives Lettieri at least around three games with the Wild to impress and who knows maybe he works so well with Dewar and Duhaime that maybe the Wild sit out Maroon when Boldy comes back. 

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