2:40 p.m. update: Just received word Krys Kolanos has been reassigned to Houston .

Not long ago, Jacques Lemaire put his team through a series of lap skates at the end of a practice. He said he was not sending a message, just that it had been awhile since the team had a good, hard skate. Jacques also said it would not be the last time.

Jacques is a man of his word.

After taking yesterday off, the Wild today had a tough practice. It ended with a lengthy team chat on the ice, but not before everyone took turns skating lines - or for you 1980 Team USA fans: Herbies.

Actually, not everyone participated. Gaborik was not on the ice with teammates yet again. Also absent today: Nolan, Brunette and Zidlicky.

Just a rest for the latter two. I didn’t even see them in the building. As for Nolan, I walked out at the same time he did and he is still moving quite slowly with that “lower body” injury of his.

A couple of things to note from practice:

1) Derek Boogaard skated with the defensemen for most of today’s session. About 10 minutes in, he traded his green practice jersey for a red one - which matched the shiner (thanks to Predators’ newcomer Wade Belak) below his left eye.

2) Maybe the most entertaining thing I’ve seen at a practice so far. Prior to a drill, Lemaire said he wanted the defensemen to do something - anything - other than just glide aimlessly with thier sticks on the ice. “Don’t just do this,” he said, gliding slowly. So once the whistle blew and the puck was put in play, Nick Schultz, left alone at the point, dropped to the ice and started doing push-ups.

OK - that didn’t read nearly as well as it looked live. You’ll have to trust me.

I’m away from this team for the next week. Russo back with you through the road trip West.

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