The Minnesota Wild placed star winger Kirill Kaprizov on injured reserve Wednesday.
Kaprizov suffered an upper-body injury late in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Jets when he was cross-checked in his back multiple times by Brenden Dillon. Kaprizov is the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals and 21 assists so far this season.
The 26-year-old winger is the latest member of the Wild to land on injured reserve this season. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson was placed on IR Monday for a lower-body injury and like Kaprizov, is considered week to week.
Kaprizov, Vinni Lettieri and Gustavsson are all eligible to come off injured reserve on Sunday, but Wild insider Michael Russo of The Athletic says he doesn’t’ “presume any will be ready.”
Kirill Kaprizov was placed on injured reserve. This doesn't change his 1-2 week timeline, but what it tells me is #mnwild may have more injuries and need roster room. Would also explain why practice was abruptly canceled today. Lack of numbers + rest/recovery more important
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 3, 2024
Minnesota’s top two defensemen, Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, have also spent time on IR at various points this season. Brodin remains out.
The Wild now have their top-two point scorers on the injury table with Mats Zucarrello (6 goals, 22 assists) still week to week with an upper-body injury.
With Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to Calgary, the Wild are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games as they look to claw back out of the early season hole that saw Dean Evason fired on Nov. 28.
Next up for the Wild is a date with the 18-16-5 Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The puck drop is set for 7:10 p.m. CT in St. Paul.
