Benoit Pouliot should read the paper

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Benoit Pouliot hasn’t checked out the Internet in some time, so the 21-year-old Wild center says he had no clue General Manager Doug Risebrough all but cemented him onto next season’s team.

After signing wingers Owen Nolan and Antti Miettinen last week, Risebrough was asked about the glaring fact the Wild had only three centers on the roster — Mikko Koivu, Eric Belanger and James Sheppard.

Risebrough said, “The [fourth] spot is Pouliot’s. I feel it’s more prudent right now just to give Pouliot an opportunity and see what he can do.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Pouliot has taken longer to develop than the Wild may have thought, but this year is his chance to prove his worth. The Wild are thin at center, and if Pouliot can get off to a good start, then the team may not have to worry about adding another center to the roster.