Wild’s Jake Middleton Nears Return as Team Battles Injuries

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jake Middleton, the Minnesota Wild defenseman, is on the verge of returning to the lineup after missing nearly a month with a broken finger. Middleton participated in his first official practice with the team on Monday, showing no signs of rust as he stickhandled and engaged in physical drills. His return could come as early as Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.

Wild coach John Hynes expressed optimism about Middleton’s imminent return, stating, “Midsy is imminent. Whether that’s tomorrow or not, I’m not sure.” Middleton’s comeback would provide a significant boost to the Wild, who are currently without their captain, Jared Spurgeon, due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury on Dec. 12, Middleton was playing some of his best hockey, recording five goals and eight assists with a plus-22 rating in 29 games.

Hynes praised Middleton’s versatility, noting his defensive prowess and growing offensive contributions. “He’s a good-skating, big, strong defenseman who defends well,” Hynes said. “He’s bringing an offensive component to our team, using his skating to join the rush and be a fourth attacker at the right times.”

Middleton’s return will help alleviate the workload on the Wild’s top defensive pair, Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin, who have been logging heavy minutes in recent games. Faber has been playing over 30 minutes per game, while Brodin has been close behind, averaging 27-28 minutes. The Wild’s depth has been tested, but players like Declan Chisholm have stepped up in Middleton’s absence.

Meanwhile, the Wild continue to deal with other injuries. Forward Kirill Kaprizov remains sidelined with a lower-body injury and has yet to resume skating. Hynes described Kaprizov’s status as “day to day,” but the absence of the team’s superstar has been felt. Kaprizov has missed six consecutive games, and his return timeline remains uncertain.

In Kaprizov’s absence, Marco Rossi has emerged as a key contributor. The Wild’s No. 1 center was named the NHL’s first star of the week after tallying eight points in three games, including a four-assist performance in a 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Rossi’s play has been a bright spot for the Wild as they navigate a challenging stretch of injuries.

The Wild also recalled forwards Travis Boyd and Brendan Gaunce on an emergency basis due to illnesses affecting several players. Defenseman Carson Lambos was recalled as well, with Spurgeon moved to injured reserve. Despite the setbacks, the Wild have shown resilience, particularly on the penalty kill, which has been a strength in recent victories over top Eastern Conference teams.

As the Wild prepare for their matchup against the Blues, the potential return of Middleton offers hope for a team looking to maintain its competitive edge in a tough Central Division race.