Wild activate C Bouchard, D Zidlicky

Oct 24, 2008 - 12:40 AM ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild activated center Pierre-Marc Bouchard and defenseman Marek Zidlicky from injured reserve prior to Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Both players are in the lineup for the Wild (4-0-0), who are the only NHL team that still has an unblemished record this season.

After notching two assists in his first game of the campaign on October 11 against the Boston Bruins, Bouchard injured his back and was placed on injured reserve a week later.

Selected eighth overall in the 2002 draft by Minnesota, the 24-year-old Bouchard recorded 13 goals and 50 assists in 81 games last season.

Zidlicky, who returned to practice on Monday, has been nursing an ankle injury and has yet to play in a game this season. He registered five goals and 38 assists in 79 contests in 2007-08 with the Nashville Predators, who traded his rights to the Wild for Ryan Jones and a second-round pick in 2009 on July 1.

The Wild also placed right wing Owen Nolan on injured reserve due to a leg injury. However, the 16-year veteran is expected to be in the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, according to a report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The 36-year-old Nolan has registered one assist in two games this season. In 2007-08, he notched 16 goals and 32 points in 77 contests with the Calgary Flames.