The Minnesota Wild are just days into their 2024-25 season and there is already cause for concern when it comes to one of their best players. Last year the Wild missed the playoffs and fired head coach Dean Evason amidst the lackluster performance. Jared Spurgeon barely played, and he’s now missing time in the first week.
Jared Spurgeon already absent for Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon is among one of the most decorated players in franchise history. The 34-year-old has spent all 15 years of his NHL career playing for the franchise. After playing just 16 games last year, and needing multiple surgical procedures, him missing time out of the gate this year is not a great look. The Athletic’s Michael Russo seems somewhat concerned as well.
“The Minnesota Wild aren’t saying why he didn’t accompany the team to Winnipeg for its third game of the season Sunday night. You don’t want to overreact to one game out of the lineup… But because the Wild don’t feel they can give any specifics besides the fact Spurgeon is day to day with a lower-body injury after playing 19 1/2 minutes Saturday night against Seattle, you do worry if he’s dealing with a setback in his return from season-ending hip and back surgeries last year.”
Michael Russo on Jared Spurgeon (The Athletic)
Spurgeon is no spring chicken anymore, and he is coming back off substantial injury. That said, being unavailable in just the third game of the season is definitely notable. Head coach John Hynes shared some thoughts with the media as well. “At this point, I really don’t have accurate information to give you because he’s getting looked at (Monday). So when I get the reports back, then I think I can give you more of a fair answer and more of an honest answer. Right now we’re looking at him as day to day and then we’ll see what comes out of his results.”
A year ago the Wild were constantly hurt and having to chase health just to give themselves a chance on a nightly basis. Spurgeon remains the lifeblood of this Wild team, both on and off the ice. His presence is one that Hynes and the rest of the roster counts on. Without him available, things can spiral quickly.
There will be an update at some point. The hope would be for positive news, and that’s something both Minnesota and Spurgeon himself are banking on.
