Minnesota Wild Provide Updates On Two Key Players

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin told reporters that captain Jared Spurgeon and Joel Eriksson Ek will remain out for the next few weeks.

This certainly isn't good news, as both players are major parts of Minnesota's lineup. With that, the Wild are currently fighting with the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators for first place in the Central Division. The Colorado Avalanche are also just four points behind them and have been on fire as of late, to.

In 21 games this season, Spurgeon has three goals, eight assists and a plus-8 rating. The 32-year-old has blossomed into one of the Wild's top defensemen over his career, so naturally, they would rather him be in the lineup.

After a solid 30-point campaign in 56 games last season, Eriksson-Ek has been excellent this season. He has an impressive 11 goals and 20 total points at this time. The 24-year-old center is blossoming into a very good two-way center, so his absence is quite notable.

Here's to hoping these two players have speedy recoveries from here. It's a shame that they have to miss out on the Winter Classic.