Minnesota Wild News

With Jared Spurgeon poised to return from a lower-body injury, Minnesota has reassigned Jiricek to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 21-year-old Jiricek averaged 13:02 time-on-ice, scoring two points (1G / 1A), in six games with Minnesota.

Spurgeon has missed nine straight with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, Spurgeon had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.

Updates surrounding Kaprizov's lower-body injury have been few and far between, but after missing 12 straight games, he could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was amid an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.

Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.

The Wild's original plan was for Gustavsson to start Monday in Colorado, but he hasn't skated in a couple of days due to illness, so he'll serve as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup. Expect Gustavsson to be back between the pipes on Thursday vs. Utah.

Filip Gustavsson was projected to start for Minnesota on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche, but he has been battling an illness that has prevented him from skating for a few days, resulting in Fleury being between the pipes for a second consecutive game. Fleury allowed five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. The veteran netminder has a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV% in 16 appearances this season (9-4-1). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as +199 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche squad coming off a 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars.

Kaprizov has returned to the ice, practicing in a limited capacity, but will miss his 11th straight game on Saturday. He is still considered day-to-day, but updates have been few and far between regarding his status. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was having an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.

Minnesota has not been as dominant as they were at the start of the season, partly due to key injuries, losing three of their last four games (1-3-0). Their one win came with Fleury between the pipes when he saved 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The veteran netminder has a 2.54 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games this season (9-3-1).

Faber has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on January 7th, missing four straight games. The 22-year-old Faber is averaging 24:58 time-on-ice and has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 41 games this season.

Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.

Ohgren was the 19th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has played 12 career NHL games, including eight earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 20-year-old has 23 points (12G / 11A) in 25 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).

Shore began the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but has been a regular in Minnesota's lineup the past several weeks. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 8:13 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) in 25 games this season.

Gaunce was recalled along with forward Liam Ohgren. Kirill Kaprizov was placed on long-term injured reserve and Marcus Johansson was placed on injured reserve in a pair of corresponding moves.

Ohgren was recalled along with forward Brendan Gaunce. Kirill Kaprizov was placed on long-term injured reserve and Marcus Johansson was placed on injured reserve in a pair of corresponding moves.