Wild center Mikko Koivu is still on crutches after ankle surgery at the beginning of the year, but his optimism on a timetable for his return suggests that may not be the case long.
Koivu, addressing the media yesterday, said that after talking to doctors and others that have had the same surgery he underwent, that he will be able to return to the Wild lineup before the Olympic break at the beginning of February.
According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:“I’m pretty confident on the Olympics, that I’ll be there. But it’s too early to make that call. What the time schedule will be, I don’t know that right now. I don’t think anyone does. But, talking to people who have had (the same surgery), and talking to the doctors, I think I’ll be playing games here before the Olympics start.’’
Since essentially all of Minnesota’s injuries have come from blocked shots to the lower body, we suppose this next note is related.
Winger Zach Parise, who is recovering from a fractured foot, is expected back on the ice next week, according to head coach Mike Yeo.
The plan is to have Parise skate on his own before he returns to practice, and no timetable has been set for his return to game action.
Finally, goalie Josh Harding, who has missed the last five games due to an undisclosed illness, skated yesterday in hopes of returning to the ice soon.
Yeo would not give a specific date for Harding’s return either, though he said the return to the ice was a step in the right direction.
Once again, this is all according to Russo, because he is a spectacular reporting machine.
