The lower-body injury that Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon sustained on Tuesday isn’t as bad as initially feared. However, it’s still expected to keep him out of the lineup for the next two to three weeks, reports Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. The 35-year-old has logged at least 20 minutes a night on the back end in every year but his rookie season back in 2010-11. Spurgeon has 13 points and 52 blocked shots in 32 games so far this season.
Meanwhile, Minnesota might be getting a different key blueliner back soon. Whyno adds that defenseman Jake Middleton could return as soon as next week from the hand injury that has kept him out for the last three weeks, landing him on LTIR. Middleton had 13 points in 29 games before the injury while his 76 blocks still lead the Wild.