A first-line scoring winger who already clicks with the team is the player the Wild targeted to help with their playoff preparation. That’s why they didn’t make any other additions before the NHL trade deadline expired Friday afternoon,

The Minnesota Wild expect star winger Kirill Kaprizov and top center Joel Eriksson Ek to return before the end of the regular season, general manager Bill Guerin told reporters before Sunday's game against the Boston Bruins at the X in St. Paul, Minn.

Coming off one of their most exciting wins of the season Saturday afternoon in Detroit, the Minnesota Wild are officially in the stretch drive with the March 7 trade deadline right around the corner and 25 games left in their season — 15 of which come at home.

The Wild have to weigh Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek's injury status before taking any big swings at the trade deadline.

You’ve probably seen the “Not Weird. Wild.” commercials. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello ride a tandem bicycle and eat PB&Js. The pillow fight in Matt Boldy’s hotel room. Brock Faber’s mother reminds him to wear his glasses as he waits for the Gus Bus.

The Wild and Bruins are making a trade involving Justin Brazeau as the Brad Marchand noise continues to get louder.

Guerin explained the team's inaction compared to the Avalanche and Stars: "We’re just at a different stage than those teams."

The Minnesota Wild have acquired Justin Brazeau from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Marat Khustnidinov, Jakub Lauko, and a 2026 6th-round pick. Currently

The injury-thinned Minnesota Wild could use a boost in their push to return to the playoffs, with their margin for making it slimmed down following a strong start. With the NHL trade deadline approaching this Friday, the Wild more than likely will have to find that spark from within.

Add in Kirill Kaprizov’s ongoing recovery from surgery on his lower-body injury, and the Wild are now without their do-it-all specialist in addition to their leading scorer.