Wild recall Adam Beckman to help sagging offensive game

In need of scoring, the Wild promoted one of their prospects from the minors who's been doing just that lately.

Adam Beckman joined the team on Friday from Iowa and skated alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy against the Stars at Xcel Energy Center, in his seventh NHL game of the season after two previous call-ups.

"Try to be myself and play the game I've been playing," Beckman said. "That's the most important thing, just try to bring that confidence I've been playing with. Just have fun out there and compete."

Beckman is having a productive season in the American Hockey League. His 18 goals are the second-most on the team behind Sammy Walker (21) and seven more than Beckman had in 2021-22.

A week ago, he potted his first professional hat trick and added another goal on Wednesday in his last game with Iowa before getting beckoned to the NHL. What's more, the winger's 155 shots rank fourth-best in the AHL.

"That's kind of the game plan: We've got to get pucks to the net," Beckman said. "That kind of goes with my game. I like to get the puck to the net and try to make things happen down there."

These aren't new results for Beckman.

He led the Western Hockey League in scoring with 107 points, including 48 goals, in 63 games and was crowned the WHL Player of the Year the season after the Wild drafted him in the third round (75th overall) in 2019.

But as a pro, the 21-year-old has worked on becoming an all-around factor and the Wild have utilized that versatility since he's slotted in up and down their lineup just this season.

"It's important," Beckman said, "especially down in Iowa. You get on the ice a little bit more and if you're playing in both areas, you can kind of be more of a relied-upon player. I think for me it's about continuing to get better in all areas of my game. I think there's a lot of stuff I definitely need to work on.

"That's what my focus was coming into this year, just try to be as complete of a player as I can and try to contribute offensively as well."

To make room for Beckman in the lineup, the Wild scratched Sam Steel for the second time this week.

Brandon Duhaime, who had been working with Eriksson Ek and Boldy, joined Jordan Greenway and Frederick Gaudreau.

Calen Addison remained a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game.

The defenseman continues to lead NHL rookies in assists with 24 and his 27 points are fifth on the Wild. He's also a team-worst minus-18. Veteran Alex Goligoski stayed in Addison's usual spot next to Jon Merrill.

"You need to play both ends of the rink," coach Dean Evason said. "We've asked him to do that. It didn't come as quickly as we wanted it to come. It will. It's just another adjustment."

Marcus Foligno missed a second straight game after blocking a shot with his left knee on Monday in the 2-1 shootout loss to the Panthers.

"I don't know exactly how long he's going to be," Evason said. "I wouldn't say week-to-week but probably day-to-day."