The Minnesota Wild didn’t escape their season-opening, come-from-behind win in Colorado unscathed.
Neither Nino Niederreiter or Taylor Graovac finished the game; they both left because of injuries. While it looks like Graovac is unlikely to play in Minnesota’s home opener against St. Louis on Saturday, Neiderreiter was back at practice Friday.
The Wild feel there’s a chance that Niederreiter could have returned to last night’s game after his head collided with the boards in the third period, but the team says Colorado’s doctor didn’t attempt to clear Niederreiter to return to the ice.
Yeo said Niederreiter was not allowed to return to last night's game bc #avs Doctor didn't follow protocol to come over & clear him #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 9, 2015
#mnwild is unhappy about it, has contacted the #nhl; basically that game goes to OT & Nino is healthy, he would've been unavailable
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 9, 2015
The news on Graovac is not as good. He has a lower-body injury and has been ruled doubtful for Saturday’s game. Yeo didn’t reveal what his plan would be for Saturday night.
With Graovac likely out, Yeo said he's not sure whether Fontaine will play, whether the #MNWild will call up a forward, or play with 7 D.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 9, 2015
According to the Star Tribune’s Michael Russo, if Justin Fontaine returns from injured reserve, Charlie Coyle will likely move to center and Fontaine will play right wing.
