Greetings. Just got back from a rather chilly, but uptempo, practice at Highland Arena. Some quick updates:  1. Brent Burns, who has been pulling major minutes in recent games, was given the day off by Jacques.   2. Eric Belanger wasn’t there, either. He was having his leg examined this afternoon. And it doesn’t appear he’ll be ready to go tomorrow, because the team has decided to bring up a player from Houston.  And that player is…..(drum roll, please) Steve Kelly.  The 6-2 veteran has 10 goals and 28 points in 47 games with the Aeros. He is a minus-5. He has nine goals and 21 points in 147 career nhl games. Now, the question is whether Jacques will plug him in at the center position or move another player (say Rolston or Demitra) to center.  Jacques said after practice that he and the coaching had a meeting scheduled and that was the top item on the list.  That’s about it. Well, no, wait. One small item: When the Wild is forced to practice away from Xcel Energy Center and can’t get into Parade, they usually bus the team to the arena already in gear ready to go on the ice. That way they get in, lace up their skates and hit the ice. After practice is over they jump back on the bus and head back to Xcel.  Well, there is usually a considerable group that gathers to watch them practice, and Saturday was no exception.  After practice several kids were asking — and getting — autographs. Pavol Demitra came off the ice and was asked for his autograph by a young boy. Demitra signed, then held out his stick. ”Do you want this?” Demitra asked, handing it over.  The kid looked like he’d won the lottery.  That’s about it. Have a good day.�

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