Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Nearly plays hero in return
Rotowire
Spurgeon didn't record a point but collected three blocked shots, two hits and a minus-1 rating in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.
Activated off IR earlier in the day, Spurgeon saw 21:52 in ice time -- second among Minnesota blueliners to Jonas Brodin -- and very nearly sent the game to overtime, but his shot with 10 seconds left in regulation rang off the post behind Devon Levi. Spurgeon also skated on the second power-play unit in his season debut, and with Calen Addison now a Shark, there could be a spot for the 33-year-old on the top unit before long.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Activated off injured reserve
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Spurgeon (upper body) has been taken off injured reserve ahead of Friday's matchup with Buffalo.
Previous reports indicated Spurgeon wouldn't be ready to play Friday but it seems that the veteran defender is good to go. Given his lengthy absence, the Edmonton native could be eased back into action with limited minutes. In a corresponding move, Daemon Hunt was shipped down to the minors.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Set to miss two more
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Spurgeon (upper body) is expected to be unavailable for at least the Wild's next two games, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports Wednesday.
Spurgeon will have missed 14 games when Minnesota faces Dallas on Sunday. The continued absence of the veteran no doubt factored into the club's decision to bring in Zach Bogosian while trading away Calen Addison on Wednesday. Whenever Spurgeon is given the all-clear, he could find himself slotting into the No. 1 power-play unit which would bolster his offensive upside.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Nearing return
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Spurgeon (upper body) is nearing a return to action after taking part in an optional morning skate Tuesday, but he won't play in the evening's matchup with the Islanders, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon has yet to play this year due to an upper-body injury, but it appears he could be ready to make his season debut in the near future. The 33-year-old defender picked up 11 goals and 34 points, four of which came on the power play, through 79 games last campaign.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Still not skating
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Per Joe Smith of The Athletic, Spurgeon (upper body) is working out off the ice but is 'still not close' to resuming skating.
Spurgeon was injured Oct. 5 in a preseason game versus the Blackhawks. The defenseman had 11 goals and 34 points with 179 blocked shots last season. He is week-to-week at this time.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Out week-to-week
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Spurgeon (upper body) will miss the start of the season and should be considered week-to-week at this time, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon was injured Thursday and he may have suffered a shoulder injury. He is not going on long-term injured reserve at this time, but it is definitely a possibility depending on how he heals. Alex Goligoski took his spot at practice Friday, pairing with Jacob Middleton on defense.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Could miss time
Rotowire
Spurgeon sustained an injury Thursday versus the Blackhawks, and head coach Dean Evason doesn't think the defenseman's outlook is positive, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
This is bad timing for an injury, as the Wild have just one preseason game left Saturday versus the Stars. Spurgeon was injured in the second period Thursday after a hit from Reese Johnson. More information on Spurgeon's status should be available prior to next Thursday's Opening Night game versus the Panthers.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Sees shot tipped in
Rotowire
Spurgeon notched a power-play assist, three blocked shots and four PIM in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Stars.
Spurgeon set up Kirill Kaprizov's goal in the last minute of the first period. The 33-year-old Spurgeon got some rest prior to the playoffs, sitting out two of the Wild's last three regular-season contests, though much of that advantage was likely lost after he saw 34:32 of ice time in Monday's Game 1. The blueliner will continue to play a key role in all situations as the Wild's defensive leader.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Set for Game 1
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Spurgeon (rest) is slated to play in Minnesota's playoff opener against Dallas on Monday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon sat out Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to Nashville on Thursday for some rest ahead of the postseason. In 79 contests during the 2022-23 campaign, he registered 11 goals, 34 points, 149 shots on net and 179 blocked shots.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Getting the night off
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Spurgeon (rest) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's regular-season finale against the Predators, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
With the Wild locked into the Central Division's third seed, a ton of the team's key players, including Spurgeon, will get the night off Thursday. Spurgeon should, however, be ready to rock for Game 1 of Minnesota's first-round playoff series against the Avalanche or the Stars.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Ready to rock
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Spurgeon (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Jets, NHL.com reports.
Spurgeon should return to a top-four role following his one-game absence. He's collected 11 goals, 34 points, 147 shots and 179 blocks through 78 contests this campaign.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Out Monday
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Spurgeon (undisclosed) isn't expected to play Monday against Chicago, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon is "banged up," according to head coach Dean Evason, but could return Tuesday versus Winnipeg. The Wild appear to be resting some players with the start of the playoffs around the corner. Calen Addison will replace Spurgeon in the lineup.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Finds twine in win
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Spurgeon scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Blues.
Spurgeon ended a four-game point drought with his tally in the last minute of the second period. It held as his career-best third game-winner of the season. The defenseman has 11 goals, 34 points, a plus-32 rating, 147 shots on net and 179 blocked shots through 78 contests overall.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Back in lineup Thursday
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Spurgeon (illness) will return to the lineup Thursday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon missed Tuesday's tilt versus the Devils with the illness, but he was able to return to practice Thursday. Spurgeon is having a good season with 10 goals, 20 assists and 170 blocked shots in 70 games.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Not playing Tuesday
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Spurgeon (illness) won't suit up for Tuesday's game versus the Devils, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Spurgeon is set to miss his first game of the season. He's posted 30 points and 170 blocked shots over 70 contests, so his absence is a significant one. Alex Goligoski will enter the lineup to cover for Spurgeon, who will aim to return for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Gets 20th assist
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Spurgeon logged an assist and six shots on goal in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Coyotes.
Spurgeon helped out on a Mats Zuccarello tally in the first period. Over his last 12 contests, Spurgeon has produced a goal and five assists. The 33-year-old defenseman is up to 10 goals, 20 helpers, a plus-31 rating, 132 shots on net and 166 blocked shots through 67 outings overall.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: One of each in Saturday's win
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Spurgeon scored a goal, dished an assist, went plus-2 and blocked three shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Sharks.
Spurgeon reached the 10-goal mark by opening the scoring at 1:44 of the first period, and he added a helper on Matthew Boldy's empty-netter in the third. The tally was Spurgeon's first in 18 games since the All-Star break, and this was his first multi-point effort since Jan. 17. The defenseman is up to 29 points, 126 shots on net, 165 blocked shots and a plus-30 rating through 66 appearances.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Puts up assist in win
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Spurgeon notched an assist, two shots on goal, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Canucks.
Spurgeon helped out on Kirill Kaprizov's opening-minute tally. The Wild's offense hasn't been great lately, with Spurgeon contributing just three assists over his last 14 games. The defenseman has 27 points, 120 shots on net, 148 blocked shots, 60 hits and a plus-25 rating through 62 contests overall.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Scores tying goal
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Spurgeon scored a goal on six shots, fueling the Wild to a 3-2 shootout win over the Sabres on Saturday.
Spurgeon scored on a one-timer off a nice feed from Frederick Gaudreau to knot the game at 2-2. The Wild's captain now has points in four of his last six games, with four of those points being goals. On the season, Spurgeon has nine goals and 24 points in 48 games.
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Wild's Jared Spurgeon: Scores two in victory
Rotowire
Spurgeon scored two goals on five shots, fueling the Wild to a 4-2 win over the Capitals on Tuesday.
The first star of the game, Spurgeon opened the scoring for the Wild, beating Charlie Lindgren with a shot from the point. He also scored the game-winning goal in a similar fashion with a slap shot from the blue line. This game snaps Spurgeon's five-game pointless streak and marks his first goal in seven games. On the season, Spurgeon has seven goals and 21 points in 43 games.
