Dec 21, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates towards the Winnipeg Jets net during the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov Misses Practice Amid Potential Surgery Talks

Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov faces potential surgery for a lingering lower-body injury, raising concerns about his playoff availability. Meta Description: Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild may undergo surgery for a lower-body injury, sidelining him during the NHL's February break.

Kirill Kaprizov missed practice on Tuesday amid ongoing discussions between the Minnesota Wild, their star forward, and medical professionals about whether he should undergo surgery for a lingering lower-body injury. The issue has been bothering Kaprizov since mid-December, and sources indicate surgery is the most likely course of action. If done this week, the timing could work in the Wild’s favor, as the NHL will pause from Feb. 9 to 21 for the 4 Nations Face-Off, potentially allowing Kaprizov to recover and return well before the playoffs.

As of Monday night, the final decision was still being worked out, but Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin is expected to provide an update at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m.

Kirill Kaprizov Likely To Undergo Lower-Body Surgeryhttps://t.co/D87fJJaNvI
— Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors) January 28, 2025

Kaprizov’s injury has already sidelined him for 12 games, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 20, during which he traveled to see specialists. He returned to the lineup on Jan. 23 after two weeks of hard skating but has yet to fully regain his form. In three games since his return, Kaprizov has recorded two assists, eight shots on goal, and a minus-2 rating, while the Wild have gone 1-2. Though he played over 22 minutes in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Chicago, his trademark explosiveness on the ice has been noticeably diminished.

The Wild are set to leave Minnesota on Tuesday afternoon for a four-game road trip through Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Boston, but it remains uncertain if Kaprizov will join them.

Kirill Kaprizov’s Lower Body Injury

Coming out of the NHL’s holiday break, Kirill Kaprizov was sidelined with what was initially described as a lower-body injury. At the time, head coach John Hynes downplayed the concern, saying Kaprizov was “banged up” and “a little sore” heading into the holidays, and adding that the issue hadn’t been lingering for long.

“Just something happened, I just don’t want to talk about this a lot. It’s now good.” : Kaprizov said.

Kirill Kaprizov will undergo surgery on a lower-body injury and is now out week-to-week for a minimum of four weeks, per Wild GM Bill Guerin pic.twitter.com/QzAhlmBvN2
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 28, 2025

General manager Bill Guerin, however, took a cautious approach to Kaprizov’s recovery. He emphasized that it was better for the Russian winger to miss a few games in January and February than risk a premature return that could lead to a more severe, long-term setback. It was a couple of weeks before Kaprizov resumed skating, spending most of that time on the ice either alone or with other injured players.

“I just try don’t think about this, Now I’m just happy to come back. I don’t play one month. I don’t think about points or something like that. I just want to feel good in the game.” : Kaprizov said.

During his absence, the Wild managed a respectable 7-5 record across 12 games. When Kaprizov finally returned to the lineup against Utah, he acknowledged how difficult it had been to sit out but assured everyone he felt ready and had no limitations. Before the injury, Kaprizov had been one of the league’s top performers and a Hart Trophy frontrunner, with 23 goals and 50 points in just 34 games.

Image Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Kirill Kaprizov

Minnesota Wild

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

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