Minnesota Wild Recall Boyd from AHL Affiliate Amid Injury Concerns

The Minnesota Wild have announced the recall of forward Boyd from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Iowa Wild. This recall has been made under emergency conditions due to ongoing injury issues within the team’s roster.

Boyd has been working his way back into the National Hockey League (NHL) after spending a year dealing with a significant injury. Previously, Boyd experienced some of the most productive seasons of his career with the Arizona Coyotes. After signing a one-year, league-minimum contract with the Coyotes in 2021, he managed to score 17 goals and collected 35 points over 74 games.

Recognizing Boyd’s contributions, the Arizona Coyotes signed him to a two-year, $3.5 million extension. During the following season, he scored a comparable 15 goals and earned 34 points across 82 games, although he also registered a -32 rating.

The 2023-24 NHL season commenced positively for Boyd, with him scoring two goals and tallying eight points in the initial 16 games. However, his season was cut short when he sustained a torn pectoral muscle during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on November 30th.

Following the injury, Boyd did not receive a contract renewal from the newly established Utah Hockey Club, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in three years. The Minnesota Wild capitalized on this opportunity by signing him to a one-year, $775,000 deal at the onset of the offseason.

Boyd has been performing well in the AHL this season, notching two goals and 11 points in his first 13 games with the Iowa Wild. He is expected to serve as backup for the Minnesota Wild’s upcoming game against the Calgary Flames, should a star forward be ruled out due to injury.