Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov cleared for contact as he nears return
Kirill Kaprizov was cleared for contact after receiving “positive feedback” from his surgeon, Wild head coach John Hynes told reporters on Wednesday.
The scuffling Minnesota Wild may soon receive a much-needed boost.
Kirill Kaprizov was cleared for contact after receiving “positive feedback” from his surgeon, Wild head coach John Hynes told reporters on Wednesday.
Kaprizov, 27, has missed the past 25 games after undergoing surgery for a lower-body injury, interrupting a season that appeared to make him an early MVP candidate.
In 37 games, the Russian had compiled a team-high 23 goals and 29 points.
He returned to practice for the first time Sunday alongside fellow injured forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who has not played since the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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Minnesota (41-28-6) holds a six-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the second wild-card spot in the West playoffs and would currently be lined up to face Central Division rival Winnipeg in the first round.
The Wild have lost four of their past five games following a three-game win streak and return to the ice Wednesday for a road game against the New York Rangers.
Hynes said he doesn’t expect Kaprizov to return this week, which also features a Friday contest against the New York Islanders and a Sunday matchup with the Dallas Stars.
