Playoff Contending Team Loses Their Star Defenceman Long Term

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Hunter Bowman
December 9, 2023 (11:10 PM)

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The Minnesota Wild might have to navigate the holiday season without arguably their best defenseman.

On Friday night, Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin got injured following a questionable hit from Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane, and it turns out, Brodin is facing an extended absence. Wild insider Mike Russo was the first to break the news that Brodin would be out for "significant time," and another update from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has shed more light on the situation.

During Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Friedman provided a timeline for Brodin's return, indicating that he won't be back until the new year.

"That's a huge loss; he's one of their better players," Friedman commented. "Some said about 4 weeks for Brodin."

Losing Brodin for any duration is a major setback for the Wild, considering he has arguably been the team's top defenseman this season. In 25 games, Brodin has 1 goal and 8 assists, boasting a plus-minus rating of +7.

There might be a silver lining for the Wild, though. If Brodin is indeed out for a month, they can place him on long-term injured reserve to get cap relief. This move would allow the Wild to make several call-ups from the American Hockey League, so keep an eye out for more developments on that front.

Source: Hockeyfeed