Five Minnesota Wild regulars return to practice
Coach John Hynes faces lineup choices as the team maintains a Western Conference-leading point total.
By Jillian Foster ·
Five Minnesota Wild players returned to the ice at Grand Casino Arena on Thursday morning, ending their absences from the start of the season. The group includes defensemen Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon, forwards Nick and Marcus Foligno, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson. Their return coincides with the team preparing for a home stretch against San Jose and Tampa Bay.
The Wild entered the season with multiple injuries that kept these five regulars out of the lineup for the first five weeks. Faber and Gustavsson have not played at all this season. Faber underwent surgery for a skull fracture, while Gustavsson had hip surgery. The Foligno brothers played only a few games in early October before sustaining their own injuries. Spurgeon is missing time for the second time this season.
Coach John Hynes stated that he does not expect Faber, Spurgeon, or Gustavsson to play in Friday’s game against San Jose or Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay. However, Hynes noted that all five players are well on the road to recovery. He described the atmosphere at practice as having good energy and life because the players are back together. Hynes said that when injured players are on the road, they feel isolated, but returning to practice provides a sense of team connection.
The team’s performance has remained strong despite the injuries. The Wild finished October with a record of 11-3-3. As of Thursday, they are tied with Edmonton for the lead in the Western Conference with 25 points. This success has created specific decisions for Hynes and his staff regarding the return of these five players to the game lineup.
The Wild are scheduled to travel to Montreal, Toronto, and Boston next week. Faber, Spurgeon, Gustavsson, and both Folignos will be on that trip. Hynes indicated that the return of the defensemen will likely replace Matt Kiersted and David Spacek in the defensive lineup. The return of the Folignos could affect the roster spots of Nico Sturm, Tyler Pitlick, and Yakov Trenin. The team will also face a goaltending surplus, as Jesper Wallstedt has started 15 of 17 games and Calvin Pickard serves as the backup.
Hynes emphasized that the returning players must maintain the same commitment and work ethic as the current lineup. He noted that the players who have been playing well have done a good job, and the returnees must pick up their end of the bargain. KSTP Channel 5 will broadcast Friday’s game against San Jose for free over the air, and both weekend games will be carried by Wild+.
