Wild's Season in Crisis Mode After Brutal Jacob Middleton Injury
The Minnesota Wild, already missing forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, have suffered another blow with defenseman Jacob Middleton sidelined day-to-day due to an upper-body injury.
Injury Update: #mnwild defenseman Jake Middleton is day-to-day with an upper body injury and will not play in today's game against the Dallas Stars.
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) April 6, 2025
Middleton was injured during Friday’s loss to the New York Islanders after a hit from behind by Bo Horvat. He needed assistance leaving the ice and did not return to the game.
Despite the Wild’s frustration, Horvat received only a minor penalty and will not face further discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, per The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
Nothing coming from NHL DoPS to Bo Horvat. Thankfully Middleton got up from such a dangerous, uncharacteristic decision by Horvat to shove him in that area. #mnwild docs will examine Jake today. Team crossing fingers he avoided a major injury. No update from Hynes last night https://t.co/XId2JW9yg7
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 5, 2025
Middleton has been a key contributor this season, tallying eight goals and 20 points with a +12 rating in 66 games. Averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice time per game, he has also delivered 98 hits and blocked 155 shots.
Acquired from the San Jose Sharks during the 2021-22 season, the 29-year-old has been a steady presence in Minnesota, posting 77 points (19 goals, 46 assists) and 500 hits over 246 games with the team.
The Wild, currently clinging to the second wild card spot in the West, have lost four straight and can ill afford to be without Middleton for long, with just five games remaining.
The Calgary Flames sit just four points behind and hold a game in hand. In response to Middleton’s absence, Minnesota recalled defenseman Cameron Crotty from the AHL, though the 25-year-old Iowa Wild captain—who has 10 assists in 68 AHL games this season—has yet to make his NHL debut and will not dress for today’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Image - Nick Wosika-Imagn
