Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, head coach Dean Evason said Tuesday.
The veteran defenseman, who turns 32 next week, sustained the injury during Saturday night’s 5-4 loss against the Florida Panthers.
Spurgeon has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 17 games and ranks third on the team in average time on ice (20:28).
“Are we worried? Yeah, for sure,” Evason told reporters. “Are we worried that Jared Spurgeon didn’t play in this game and moving forward? Sure. He’s everything to our hockey club. It’s a big, big hole. He drives the offense on the back end.
“He’s so good defensively, killing penalties, power play. But what he does within the room is pretty special. So, are we worried? Sure, but hopefully it shakes down (as) not as bad. Hopefully it isn’t.”
The Central Division-leading Wild recalled 21-year-old defenseman Calen Addison from AHL affiliate Iowa ahead of Wednesday’s game against the host New Jersey Devils.
–Field Level Media