Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov getting closer to return from injury

Kirill Kaprizov hasn’t played in an NHL game for close to a month – but that might change in the near future.

The Minnesota Wild star has been the team’s most important player in 2024-25 – and one of the most valuable players, league-wide. The Russian winger has 50 points in 34 games, putting him on pace to crack the 100-point barrier for the second time in his career. Kaprizov has been out since Dec. 23 due to a lower-body injury, and was recently placed on long-term injured reserve, retroactive to then.

But as Frank Seravalli pointed out on Daily Faceoff Live, we could see Kaprizov back in the Wild’s lineup as early as next week:

Tyler Yaremchuk: “Kirill Kaprizov was not in our Hart Trophy conversation at all. He’s faded out of that because he’s been out of the lineup since Dec. 23rd. Wild fans are holding their breath. What can you tell them?”

Frank Seravalli: “He’s getting close to resuming that chase again, and if he can pick up where he left off, I think we’re going to have to consider him in the Hart Trophy race with what he’s meant to Minnesota. The injuries have piled up in Minny… Minnesota has been in a world of hurt, literally and figuratively, the last number of weeks here with their players out.

“Kaprizov, I’m told, has been skating. He is not accompanying the team on their two-game road trip. They’re leaving this afternoon. However, I believe he’s a strong possibility to return to the lineup late next week, potentially against Utah (on Thursday). If I have my schedule correct in my brain, he is a candidate to return then on home ice and not a moment too soon for Minnesota.”

You can watch the full Ice Breakers segment as part of the full show down below: