In the current NHL 2024-25 season, there have been many epic performances from all the teams throughout the four divisions. All teams, particularly those ranked in the top three of their respective divisions, such as the Minnesota Wild, are vying for a Stanley Cup playoff spot. Indeed, they have played 50 games and have won 29, with 17 losses and 4 overtime losses, making them third in the Central Division.
In their recent match against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Wild dominated them in a victory with the score of 4-2. However, following the match, the Wild’s fans were hit with a concerning update, as star forward Kirill Kaprizov was put on the roster as an injured reserve. Indeed, the Wild will be going through surgery for his lower-body injury and will miss the rink for around four weeks.
This is an absolute disaster for the team that is aiming for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and they would want to keep that third place to themselves, or they will be looking forward to moving up a place in the standings in the Central Division. However, will Kaprizov play against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight on January 29? Absolutely not!
“It is not a season-ending injury, but it will put him on the shelf for the next little while. We’ve been down this road before, and it’s unfortunate. I mean, Kirill was having a Hart Trophy-type of season. It’s disappointing for him. It’s disappointing for us too,” said Wild’s general manager Bill Guerin during the post-game against the Blackhawks. Indeed, even though the forward was suffering, he still managed to score an assist in the game, and this showcased the dedication he had in him.
Back in the 2015 NHL draft, Kaprizov was a 5th round, 14th pick for the Wild. And was it worth it? Absolutely! Since then, he has been a vital part of the team, most of the time being one of the top scorers of the team. Even though his current season was plagued and is still in trouble due to injuries, what are his statistics?
The Russian NHL star has played only 37 games in which he has scored 23 goals, 29 assists, and 52 points. If he had continued to play every game since the start of the season, he would have definitely been at one of the top positions in the whole league as a top scorer. However, his 12-game absence did affect his stats a lot for the current campaign.
The Minnesota Wild will be facing the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 29. Indeed, it will be an important match for both of the teams, as in their respective divisions, they have something to prove. The Scotiabank Arena will also be filled with Maple Leafs fans as it is their home game, and it will be a tough one for the team from Minnesota, as Kaprizov isn’t the only player who is missing from the roster.
Heading into Toronto’s territory without Kirill Kaprizov and some other star players
Kirill Kaprizov’s statistics are the evidence of his importance to the Minnesota Wild. His reaction to his situation? “Kirill is very upset. Kirill is such a team-focused guy. And I think with what he has, he knows he could probably get by in games and try to help the team. But he doesn’t like it. Him at 60 percent is better than most players in the League, but he wants to be 100 percent and help us play as long as we can this year. And I agree with him,” said the Wild’s general manager Bill Guerin.
Indeed, the #97 of Minnesota is a determined player on the rink, but he could’ve showcased more potential this season if the circumstances were different, with a bit of luck on his side. However, he isn’t the only player that is out of the playing roster for the upcoming matches, as the franchise has a bit-long list of such players who are going through injuries.
Apart from Kaprizov, the Wild’s Jonas Brodin, Marcus Johansson, and Jared Spurgeon are dealing with their own injuries. These players’ future in the team might be secured because Minnesota understands their situation. However, the league waits for none, and they will be missing out on the important matches leading up to the playoffs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a formidable team that is on a record of 30-18-2 and is at the top of the Atlantic Division with 62 points. Indeed, they will be a force to reckon with that too on their home ground. However, the fans have seen Wild pull off epic performances on an opponent’s home rink, and only time will tell how they will fare against each other.
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