ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild will be without defenseman Nate Prosser for their season finale Saturday night against Phoenix.
Prosser was suspended one game by the NHL on Friday for head-butting Jamal Mayers at 18:19 of the first period during Minnesota's win the previous night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Prosser was penalized only one game because Mayers wasn't seriously injured and Prosser had no history of fines or suspensions in his 56-game NHL career.
With Prosser out, the Wild will be down to four defensemen for the finale. Coach Mike Yeo confirmed Friday that Clayton Stoner (upper body) will not play. And Minnesota reassigned defenseman Tyler Cuma to Houston of the AHL later in the day.
Cuma logged 11:09 ice time in his NHL debut Thursday. He will play with the Aeros on Friday, and it is possible he could be recalled to Minnesota for Saturday's game.
"We want to let him go play tonight (in Houston)," Yeo said. "I am happy with his game. Especially, I thought as the game went on he got stronger. Then we will re-evaluate what we need here for tomorrow."
The Wild will most likely call up two defensemen from Houston to face Phoenix.
