Minnesota Wild defensive prospect Gustav Olofsson suffered an upper body injury in Saturday’s preseason match-up against the Winnipeg Jets. Late in the game he took a hit up high and was slow to get up.
The team hasn’t clarified “upper body” at all, but he’s not in the lineup for Monday’s preseason game and was held out of practice on Sunday. It’s never a good time to be injured, but the timing seems especially unfortunate for Olofsson who is trying to make the case for his inclusion on the opening night roster. He was a bit of a darkhorse for opening night as it was and missing any time during camp won’t help him make the case.
The injury occurred at the end of the game, so the team got another good look at Olofsson and Yeo had some positive things to say about him, noting in the post-game press conference, “he’s got some NHL poise with the puck and vision.”
Parise Out Too
Also out for the Wild Sunday was Zach Parise. He was held out for a maintenance day and is slotted into the top line for tonight’s home preseason tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins. So, there doesn’t appear to be anything to worry about there.
Speaking of Parise, you should read Michael Russo’s excellent piece from the Saturday Star Tribune on Zach Parise’s father J.P. Parise being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It’s a very good article and gets at the heart of that family. It’s alternately heartbreaking and uplifting.
Other Injury Notes
Thomas Vanek and Keith Ballard, who have both been out of practice and didn’t play in Saturday’s game, were on the ice today. Ballard isn’t in Monday night’s lineup, but Vanek is expected to make his first appearance on home ice tonight.