The Minnesota Wild recalled defenseman Dakota Mermis and reassigned forward Vinni Lettieri to the Iowa Wild, the team announced Monday.
Mermis has played well in Minnesota during his call-ups this season. The 29-year-old left-shot defender has averaged 15:42 of ice time in his first 13 contests with the Wild this season, where he has recorded five points, 21 blocks, 21 penalty minutes and a -1 rating. Mermis also has a point and -1 rating in four games with AHL Iowa.
This swap gives the Wild defensive insurance on their four-game road trip this week, where they face the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, Vancouver Canucks on Thursday and Edmonton Oilers on Friday before ending the trip in Seattle on Sunday against the Kraken.
Whether Mermis plays is to be determined, but the Wild have another option at their disposal now during the road trip in case of injury, or if they want a different look on the blue line.
Jon Merrill returned to the lineup for Zach Bogosian — who didn't play due to injury — on Sunday following three healthy scratches. And Jared Spurgeon appears to be fine after taking a hit from Ryan Donato in the first period on Sunday, which saw him go down the tunnel. Spurgeon later returned and finished the game with 18:56 of ice time.
Lettieri returns to AHL Iowa with another call-up under his belt. The 28-year-old speedy forward has two goals and three points in 13 games with the Wild so far this season. He also has 15 shots, a 60.5 win percentage (23-for-38) in the faceoff circle and is a -3 in those 13 games, where he has averaged 10:43 of ice time. He also has a goal and four points in six games with AHL Iowa.