WILD REPORT: Wanvig in, Brandner out for Wild
BY BRIAN MURPHY
Pioneer Press
The Wild demoted struggling left wing Christoph Brandner to Houston of the American Hockey League on Sunday and recalled sizzling right wing Kyle Wanvig to replace him.
Wanvig leads the Aeros with 15 goals, including six game-winners, among 23 points. He was selected last week to play in the Feb. 9 AHL All-Star Game. But he could be back in an NHL lineup as soon as tonight when the Wild play the Nashville Predators at the Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild ran out of patience with Brandner, the towering Austrian who was scoreless in 11 games with only one goal in his past 22 games. A natural scorer in Europe, Brandner made the team after a strong training camp and scored three goals in his first 13 games.
But the scoring opportunities dried up. Moreover, the unrelenting pace of the NHL schedule wore down Brandner, 28, who never played more than 59 games in a season during a six-year European career in which he was named the German Elite League's player of the year in 2002-03.
"To be honest, I was kind of expecting it," Brandner said after meeting with general manager Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire following Sunday's practice. "I haven't really had good games lately. It's disappointing. But I can't get down too much. I have to play as good as possible in Houston to try to get back here again."
That would be a tough task, considering the Wild would have to move another forward when Marc Chouinard is activated from injured reserve later this month. Brandner was an easy decision because he was not required to clear waivers before being sent down.
Meanwhile, Wanvig has his best chance to establish himself in the NHL. He was among the final cuts at training camp. But two inspired performances last month as an emergency call-up resulted in nine shots on goal and virtually guaranteed Wanvig a return ticket when a spot opened.
"He's been very strong and definitely earned his chance," assistant general manager Tom Lynn said.
da kann man nur hoffen das wieder bessere zeiten auf ihn zukommen!!!
BY BRIAN MURPHY
Pioneer Press
The Wild demoted struggling left wing Christoph Brandner to Houston of the American Hockey League on Sunday and recalled sizzling right wing Kyle Wanvig to replace him.
Wanvig leads the Aeros with 15 goals, including six game-winners, among 23 points. He was selected last week to play in the Feb. 9 AHL All-Star Game. But he could be back in an NHL lineup as soon as tonight when the Wild play the Nashville Predators at the Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild ran out of patience with Brandner, the towering Austrian who was scoreless in 11 games with only one goal in his past 22 games. A natural scorer in Europe, Brandner made the team after a strong training camp and scored three goals in his first 13 games.
But the scoring opportunities dried up. Moreover, the unrelenting pace of the NHL schedule wore down Brandner, 28, who never played more than 59 games in a season during a six-year European career in which he was named the German Elite League's player of the year in 2002-03.
"To be honest, I was kind of expecting it," Brandner said after meeting with general manager Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire following Sunday's practice. "I haven't really had good games lately. It's disappointing. But I can't get down too much. I have to play as good as possible in Houston to try to get back here again."
That would be a tough task, considering the Wild would have to move another forward when Marc Chouinard is activated from injured reserve later this month. Brandner was an easy decision because he was not required to clear waivers before being sent down.
Meanwhile, Wanvig has his best chance to establish himself in the NHL. He was among the final cuts at training camp. But two inspired performances last month as an emergency call-up resulted in nine shots on goal and virtually guaranteed Wanvig a return ticket when a spot opened.
"He's been very strong and definitely earned his chance," assistant general manager Tom Lynn said.
da kann man nur hoffen das wieder bessere zeiten auf ihn zukommen!!!