Wild Get Key Players Back for Utah Game
The Minnesota Wild have kept their team competitive all season despite facing multiple injuries to important players. Their lineup received a major boost on Thursday when star Kirill Kaprizov and team captain Jared Spurgeon were activated from injured reserve ahead of their game against Utah.
Kaprizov and Spurgeon Return
“They had a long road to get back and put in a lot of hard work, so it’s nice that they’re getting an opportunity to play,” coach John Hynes said after the team’s morning skate.
However, the Wild are still without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who is out for the seventh consecutive game with a lower-body injury, and left winger Marcus Johansson, who remains sidelined with a concussion for the third straight game.
Kaprizov’s Recovery
Kaprizov last played on Dec. 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He missed 12 games due to a lower-body injury that lasted longer than expected. The Wild took a cautious approach to bring back their top scorer and first-line left winger.
Before the injury, Kaprizov was among the league leaders in goals and points, and he was considered a legitimate MVP candidate. He had 23 goals and 27 assists in 34 games, still ranking 11th in goals despite his absence.
“I just try not to think about this. Now I am just happy to come back,” Kaprizov said. “I don’t play one month. I don’t think about points or something like that. I just want to feel good in the game.”
Managing Kaprizov’s Workload
Kaprizov’s biggest challenge might be learning to ease up when needed, as he is known for staying on the ice long after practice ends.
“He’s got to do what he needs to do to get himself ready and prepared, but then as the season goes on, sometimes you need to maybe tweak some of those things like that,” Hynes said. “That’s not necessarily my department. It’s him with the trainers and the strength coach and things like that. Nothing major, just make sure he’s feeling good and prepared to play but also making sure that he’s managing himself.”
Spurgeon’s Injury and Return
Spurgeon missed nine games with a lower-body injury, which he revealed on Thursday involved both his ankle and knee. The 15th-year veteran defenseman was injured on Dec. 31 when Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux took him down with a slew-foot move, which earned L’Heureux a three-game suspension.
Spurgeon, speaking for the first time since the injury, did not comment specifically on the play. After being limited to only 16 games last season due to hip and back injuries, Spurgeon had been healthy and playing well until this latest setback.
“That was the most frustrating part, just having to go back in the gym and doing the same stuff all over again. It brings back some bad memories,” Spurgeon said.
Quick Recovery and Team Impact
The Wild were relieved that Spurgeon’s injury was not as serious as initially feared, as his awkward crash into the boards raised concerns about a season-ending injury.
“His work ethic was unbelievable. I thought he might’ve been back like a week earlier just watching him off the ice and in the gym with the work he put in,” Hynes said.
“All those leadership things that he brings are great to have and missed when he’s not in the lineup, then obviously what he brings on the ice, the way that he can play and what he means to our team in those situations. It’s great to have him back.”
