Things are looking good for the Minnesota Wild. They find themselves in a favorable position in the Western Conference and barring a major collapse, they appear to have their wildcard spot and ticket to the playoffs locked in. Of course, how can we expect anything else from the team belonging to the hockey capital of America? But although the team appears to be thriving, the landscape can shift dramatically in the NHL within seconds.

On X, PuckReportNHL reported troubling news for the Minnesota Wild, announcing, “Defender David Jiricek suffered a lacerated spleen in the AHL and is done for the season.” Yet another injury has struck a player from the Wild hockey team. In a recent AHL matchup, Wild defenseman David Jiricek suffered a lacerated spleen while playing for the Iowa Wild against the Ontario Reign, cutting short his 2024-25 season unexpectedly.

In light of this challenge, Jiricek is anticipated to fully recuperate and be prepared for the commencement of the 2025-26 season. Before the injury, the 21-year-old Czech defenseman participated in 12 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild, tallying one goal, two assists, and three points. During his time in the AHL, he recorded seven assists and seven points in 27 games with Iowa. He had the potential to be a key contributor to the Wild’s playoff ambitions, but now he finds himself alongside numerous other players on the injury reserve list.

Who exactly are these players? Star forward Kirill Kaprizov has returned to the ice following lower-body surgery in late January, yet he is still classified as week-to-week with no clear timeline for his comeback. Center Joel Eriksson Ek is currently dealing with a lower-body injury and is anticipated to be unavailable until the next month. Defenseman Declan Chisholm is currently classified as day-to-day due to a lower-body injury.

The absence of key players presents considerable obstacles for the Wild as they maneuver through the rest of the season in pursuit of playoff contention. Amidst the pursuit of playoff glory, the Wild have also revealed plans for a significant renovation of their home arena.

The Minnesota Wild’s big project

Recently, the City of Saint Paul and the Minnesota Wild came together to unveil a proposal for the renovation of the Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex. The details? The official Saint Paul website explains that the proposed renovation project is designed to establish a safer and more vibrant Saint Paul, anticipated to attract more visitors, foster greater participation in activities, and boost overall vitality.

The initiative bolsters efforts to broaden tourism, strengthen the city’s overall public safety approach, and draw more residents to the downtown district. What is the estimated cost of the project? The anticipated expenses for the renovations at the Xcel Energy Center are estimated to reach $769 million.

The allocation of funds indicates that the State of Minnesota will provide $394.6 million, while the Minnesota Wild will contribute $215.8 million, and Saint Paul, along with local partners, will add $158.8 million to the total. Only time will reveal the extent to which the project will materialize for the “State of Hockey.”