Kirill Kaprizov Out For At Least Four Weeks Following Surgery
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov will undergo surgery for his recurring lower-body injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks, according to general manager Bill Guerin. This news was delivered during practice on Tuesday, reaffirming the team’s cautious approach to the recovery of their leading scorer.
Kaprizov had made his return to the ice just last week after missing 12 games due to this persistent injury. During his brief return, he played three games but struggled to regain his former explosive performance. "He was not himself," noted Wild coach John Hynes. Kaprizov logged zero points during his first game back, showing the limitations of his skating.
Guerin emphasized the disappointment felt by the team and the player. "Kirill was having a Hart Trophy-type season. It’s disappointing for him. It’s disappointing for us too," he commented. Kaprizov's stats prior to the injury were impressive, with 23 goals and 29 assists over 37 games, putting him among the league’s elite players and making him one of the early candidates for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Most Valuable Player.
Although the team is facing challenges with Kaprizov's absence, they retained hope for future success. Guerin mentioned, "We’ve put ourselves in a good position in the standings with the way we’re playing. We just need to deal with the situation. It’s not the end of the world." The Wild's record of 29-17-4 places them third in the Central Division, just two points away from the playoff line as they navigate the NHL’s grueling schedule.
The timing of Kaprizov's surgery might play to his advantage. The NHL has scheduled the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament from February 12 to 20, which will effectively give him additional recovery time without missing games. If all goes well, he could return shortly after the break, possibly as soon as late February or early March.
Despite missing key games, the Wild have managed to maintain competitive play without Kaprizov. They hold the best road record in the league at 18-5-3. Guerin believes the team has the depth to weather this storm, stating, "We’re going to keep playing and continue to getbetter, and when Kirill’s healthy and all healed up, he’ll be back, and we’ll be evenbetter." Kaprizov's impact on the team has been significant, and his absence will surely be felt on the ice.
Notably, Kaprizov's return had been highly anticipated after he had initially hurt himself during the holiday season, which forced him to miss time before eventually returning. Even during his comeback, his game was compromised. Guerin pointed out, "Him at 60% isbetter than most players in the league, but he wants to be 100% and help us play as long as we can this year, and I agree with him." The management’s decision to prioritize the player's long-term health was echoed by his teammates who share the sentiment of wanting him back fully fit.
Now, without their star winger, the Wild will look to players like Matt Boldy to step up and help out on the scoresheet. Despite the injuries to several key players throughout the season, the team has remained competitive. Guerin remains optimistic as the team prepares for upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and resilience. The Wild must adapt and draw upon their team spirit to navigate this next stretch without Kaprizov.
The challenges posed by Kaprizov's surgery highlight the realities of professional sports, where injuries can play pivotal roles throughout the season. The Wild will look to maintain their momentum as they head out on the road to face stiff competition from other NHL teams.
For now, all eyes will be on Kaprizov as he begins the recovery process. Coach Hynes stated, "We did everything we could to see if it would work for him, but it didn’t, and now we’ve got to go this direction." The team is well aware of the stakes as they aim for playoff contention and will eagerly welcome back their star player once he is fully healed.