Tribune News Service

ST. PAUL – The Wild trimmed their roster by seven Monday, clearing the way for a big competition between Matt Dumba and Christian Folin on defense.

The team placed two defensemen with NHL experience -- Jon Blum and Justin Falk -- on waivers, along with forward Joel Rechlicz. If they clear, they'll be assigned to the Wild's AHL affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Wild also cut forwards Brett Bulmer, Tyler Graovac, defenseman Guillaume Gelinas and sent goalie Brandon Whitney back to juniors.

A battle between Dumba and Folin, promising young defensemen, has been brewing for some time, and waiving Blum and Falk sets up a final battle for one roster spot on the blue line.

There's a chance both could make the team, but only if the Wild determined each would play every night. For that to be the case, they'd both have to beat out veteran Keith Ballard.

"I've said it enough times: I don't want anybody sitting in the press box that's a young player," coach Mike Yeo said. "They need to play games; they need to develop."

Folin and Dumba had moments in Monday night's 4-1 exhibition win over Pittsburgh where it was easy to see them making the team.

Dumba's burst exiting the defensive zone is unparalleled and he skates with the puck as well as any Wild defenseman.

" I thought overall he was good," Yeo said. "There were a couple plays that I wasn't thrilled with, but at the same time we understand that he's trying to make our team and he knows he's not going to make our team by just going out and being a safe player all night long.

"Folin cleared out space in front of Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper and recorded a plus-1 rating.

Both players insist they haven't been keeping track of their competition.

"Honestly, you can't get your head caught up in media or what's going on around you like that," Dumba said. "You've got to focus on your game and what you have to do for the team. That's my focus."

Folin played in his only NHL game last season April 10 at the Xcel Energy Center and said he's been looking forward all summer to another game in St. Paul. Monday was his first at the X since his NHL debut.

"When I was sitting on the bike in the middle of July and needed a little extra push to bike out that last five minutes, that's what I'd be thinking about," Folin said. "(But) the only thing I can control is how I play and how I perform every day, so that's my main focus. I've been talking about that since I got here."

That's the approach Yeo wants.

"I don't want these guys just coming into the game analyzing and over-thinking things," he said. "That's part of the competition for them, to be able to deal with that."

Waivers for Schroeder

In their ongoing quest to get down to the maximum 23 players by opening night, the Wild will effectively trim their roster to 28 Tuesday.

Forward Jordan Schroeder, a University of Minnesota product, will be placed on waivers and sent to the AHL Iowa Wild if he clears.

Center Zach Phillips, the team's 2011 first-round pick, doesn't need to clear waivers and was sent to Iowa.

Schroeder, who signed with the Wild this summer, struggled to find a consistent role during training camp and didn't fit well Monday night with Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke.

"I didn't think that line was great all night long," Yeo said. "I'm not going to say I was unhappy with him by any means, but overall that line didn't really have a lot of sustained time or one of those great nights."

Phillips has been held back by his skating ability, but performed well on the fourth line Monday.

Graovac stood tall

Although he was sent to AHL Iowa on Monday, Tyler Graovac, a big center drafted in the seventh round in 2011, had an impressive training camp and caught the eye of the Wild's brass.

"I like that he's improved every year," Yeo said. "He's got the right attitude as far as his determination as a player. ... I felt he got better through the course of training camp. You're looking at a big body and a guy who can skate and a guy with skill. He's moved his way significantly up our depth chart."

Blum back?

Jon Blum, waived Monday, could be recalled for Thursday's preseason game in St. Louis if he clears waivers.

The Wild wanted to make cuts Monday, but might call up players to fill out a roster that won't feature as many veterans. Blum, a defenseman, could be one of those players.

Yeo said waiving Blum "is not a final decision."

"But that said," he added, "there are some players that have done more to be here right now. But this is a guy that I know can play games for us. He's got to get his game sharp and be ready, because he's done some good things for us. It's just not there right now."