Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin shared the latest on Kirill Kaprizov’s recovery from a lower-body injury that has sidelined the star forward for four games.
Speaking ahead of the team’s Saturday matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, Guerin emphasized that Kaprizov’s health for the long haul is the organization’s priority.
“It’s still just kind of day-to-day,” Guerin told The Athletic's Michael Ruso. “We’re just still trying to work through what he has. The thing is that we don’t want him to come back and push through. He could, but it could make something worse.“
So far this season, Kaprizov has scored 23 goals and provided 27 assists for 50 total points in 34 games. The winger is tied for eighth in total points across the NHL and tied for second in goals only trailing Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (27).
Despite the injury’s day-to-day classification, the franchise is taking a cautious approach.
“We need him for the long haul,” Guerin said. “We don’t just need him for a couple games in January. We need him to get healthy and feel better, so we’re trying to do the right thing and just look at it from the long point of view.”
The Wild backdated Kaprizov’s injured reserve designation to Dec. 23, the last day he appeared in a game, ensuring he can return as soon as he is fully ready as he has already missed more than the mandatory three games required by the NHL.
Guerin, however, did not provide a specific timeline for the 26-year-old’s return to the ice, prioritizing a full recovery over rushing him back.
Minnesota has managed to stay competitive without their star winger, winning four of their last five games, including a 4–3 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
The Wild, with a record of 24-11-4 through 39 games, are currently second in the Central Division only trailing the Winnipeg Jets.
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