Minnesota Wild Get Massive Kirill Kaprizov Injury Update
The Minnesota Wild are close to welcoming back a major contributor just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs later this month.
Star forward Kirill Kaprizov, who has missed 25 games with a lower-body injury, has been cleared for contact and could make his return as early as next Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks.
According to The Athletic, Kaprizov recently had a positive follow-up with his surgeon in New York and received medical clearance to resume full-contact play:
“While both players returned to the Twin Cities from New York to resume skating with Andy Ness and get better treatments than on the road, it’s starting to feel like Kaprizov could return as soon as next Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Coach John Hynes said Kaprizov had a positive checkup with his New York surgeon on Tuesday and has been cleared for contact. Hynes wasn’t ready to pinpoint when Kaprizov could play for the first time since Jan. 26, but it’s clearly on the horizon.”
While head coach John Hynes hasn’t confirmed an exact return date, Kaprizov’s comeback appears imminent. The 26-year-old hasn’t played since January 26 but remains a critical piece of the Wild’s offense.
This is a significant development for Minnesota, who are currently tied with the St. Louis Blues for the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Despite appearing in only 37 games this season, Kaprizov ranks third on the team in scoring with 52 points - 23 goals & 29 assists.
His dynamic playmaking and scoring ability could provide a much-needed spark for the Wild, who have dropped four of their last five games.
Though Minnesota holds a seven-point cushion over the Calgary Flames for the final playoff spot, they’ll need to regain momentum quickly—and Kaprizov’s return could be the catalyst.
In another encouraging update, Joel Eriksson Ek is also nearing a return after being sidelined since February 22. The 28-year-old center participated fully in practice this week and could soon rejoin the lineup. Eriksson Ek has recorded 24 points in 42 games this season.
With the playoffs approaching, the Wild are getting healthier at the perfect time—a promising sign for their postseason aspirations.
Image - Nick Wosika-Imagn
