As expected, the Minnesota Wild have placed defenseman and captain Jared Spurgeon on injured reserve considering he’s likely to miss the next two to three weeks with a lower-body injury. Filling Spurgeon’s spot on the roster, and the two additional openings will be Travis Boyd, Brendan Gaunce, and Carson Lambos after being recalled from their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.
Whether anticipated or not, Spurgeon’s time on injured reserve has significantly impacted the Wild over the past two seasons. Minnesota’s all-time highest-scoring defenseman played 79 games during the 2022-23 season but was limited to just 16 games last year due to back and hip problems that ultimately required surgery. This year, due to lingering issues from last season’s surgeries, and other injuries including the current one, Spurgeon has been limited to 32 of the Wild’s 40 games.
As the highest-paid defenseman on the roster this season with a salary of $7.575MM until 2026-27, Spurgeon could become a major drain on the Wild’s salary cap picture should he not be able to put together a full season. Spurgeon has recorded four goals and 13 points averaging 20:43 of ice time for the Wild this season.
Boyd and Gaunce’s recall may result in a spot in the lineup but they’re valuable forward depth regardless. The two haven’t combined for any points with the Wild this season over eight games but are one in two in scoring for the AHL Wild with 20 points and 17 points, respectively.
Lambos again earns a call-up rather than new high-end defensive prospect David Jiříček. The former 26th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft has struggled immensely since transitioning to professional hockey last year. The Winnipeg native didn’t achieve his NHL debut during his first recall from January 1st to January 5th and has only recorded six goals and 19 points in 96 career games for the AHL Wild.
Spurgeon has not done well since signing the outrageous contract that Guerin gave him.
Wow! I mean how obvious is it that you don’t pay attention to the WILD. Yes Spurgeon was out most of the season last year, but this year he was playing well and makes a huge difference on the blue line. He is worth every penny of his contract. He was injured this season by a cheap hit. That is beyond his control. Being a drain on the cap? From a cheap hit? Quite the thinking you have here. Lambos is just 21 years old. Most of the players his age are still in college. To say he has struggled immensely is ridiculous. He is learning how to play professionally. Do you think that happens a couple weeks after coming into the pros? Is negative reporting your thing?
Lack of hockey knowledge is Wilf Kesler’s thing. However he does get kudos for displaying it with volume posting and enthusiasm.