Wild place star winger on IR

The Minnesota Wild have placed star winger Kirill Kaprizov on injured reserve. He joins an extended checklist of Wild gamers on IR, together with Filip Gustavsson — who was injured on the same night — Mats Zuccarello, Vinni Lettieri, Sam Hentges, and Jonas Brodin.

Kaprizov went down after receiving a number of cross-checks within the again from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon. Dillon wasn’t penalized on the play, although Kaprizov is now labeled with a lower-body damage that may maintain him out for at least one week. He provides to Minnesota’s lengthy checklist of accidents, which has additionally just lately featured Marcus Foligno. It’s the start of what is going to inevitably be a troublesome stretch for the Wild, now with out their prime two scorers Kaprizov and Zuccarello. Kaprizov is the one participant to overhaul Zuccarello whereas the latter has sat out for the final eight video games. It’s a testomony to Zuccarello’s performances this 12 months, netting 28 factors in 28 video games. Kaprizov has matched the point-per-game scoring, managing 34 factors in 34 video games.

Minnesota has misplaced each of their video games since Kaprizov and Gustavsson went down with accidents, getting outscored, 6-3. Marc-Andre Fleury served because the workforce’s starter in each video games, backed up by Zayne McIntyre. McIntyre joined ahead Nic Petan as the 2 gamers recalled within the wake of Kaprizov and Gustavsson’s accidents — although it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Minnesota swaps out depth items now understanding that they are going to be with out their pair of dynamic scorers for a while. 

Prime goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt is at the moment serving because the starter for Minnesota’s AHL affiliate, the place his .922 save share throughout 18 video games ranks fourth in the whole league. Wallstedt obtained an NHL call-up earlier within the season however has but to make his NHL debut.