The Minnesota Wild recalled Vinni Lettieri from the Iowa Wild late this afternoon after reassigning Sammy Walker to Iowa this morning, the team announced in separate moves Sunday.
Matt Boldy suffered an upper-body injury in Toronto on Oct. 14 that has him sidelined with a week-to-week status, which opened up a forward spot. That led to Walker's call-up last Wednesday after placing Alex Goligoski on long-term injured reserve.
The Wild chose Walker after his strong showing in the prospects showcase, training camp and preseason action in September. But Walker wasn't super noticeable on Thursday with Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson on the second line.
That led to his demotion to the fourth line Saturday. But after two games in Minnesota, Walker is heading back to Iowa and getting replaced by Lettieri. Walker didn't record a point, was held to a single shot and finished a -2. Walker has one goal and one assist in 11 NHL games.
Lettieri had a goal and four points in the preseason, and he recorded three points in four games in Iowa so far this season. Lettieri brings speed and a sneaky shot to the lineup, and the 28-year-old now has a good opportunity in front of him.
The Wild finish their three-game homestand on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. Then Minnesota has a three-game road trip on the East Cost late next week: Philadelphia on Thursday, Washington on Friday and New Jersey on Sunday.
With Boldy out of the lineup and the Wild 1-2-1 in their past four games, the Wild had a number of options to choose from. Adam Beckman had a strong training camp and preseason, and the 22-year-old has two goals and four points in four games in Iowa to start the season.
Jujhar Khaira had to of been considered, too. The versatile forward scored two goals in the preseason and has two goals in four games in Iowa so far this season. Khaira can kill penalties, bring physicality to the lineup and chip in offensively.
Fortunately for the Wild, they had a number of players to choose from, and they're giving Lettieri an opportunity in the NHL early in the season to make an impact.
