ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have listed proper winger Matt Boldy as week-to-week with a lower-body damage, a major blow simply days into coaching camp for a crew that normal supervisor Invoice Guerin mentioned is relying on higher well being to rebound from an injury-riddled 2023-24 season.
Coach John Hynes lowered the temperature after the crew introduced the information Monday, although, saying the damage isn’t thought-about main and the crew is anticipating that Boldy might be again in time for the Oct. 10 season opener towards the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Matt was clearly having an excellent coaching camp for the primary few days and had a extremely good summer time,” Hynes mentioned. “So I believe if he simply has a bit little bit of a break right here, he must be superb. However we’re anticipating him close to the top of camp and prepared for the beginning of the season.”
Boldy watched a part of the Wild’s first of two practices Monday from the bench in exercise apparel and took part in crew conferences. He labored out and practiced absolutely Saturday, talking to the media afterward. It wasn’t till he bought residence that Boldy had bother strolling and realized one thing was fallacious, Hynes mentioned.
Hynes discovered earlier than the Wild’s exhibition recreation that night time in Winnipeg.
“It sort of popped up,” Hynes mentioned.
Boldy, 23, has mixed for 60 targets over the previous two seasons and registered a career-high 69 factors final season. Taking part in for Hynes and america on the World Championship in Might, the Massachusetts native led the event in scoring with 14 factors (six targets) in eight video games.
As a substitute of returning to Boston this offseason, Boldy spent a lot of the summer time in Minnesota understanding with power and conditioning coach Matt More durable and his employees and skating with skating and expertise coach Andy Ness.
“There’s all the time targets, all the time methods to enhance,” Boldy mentioned Saturday. “I imply, I’m assured in myself. I’ve my targets set and stuff like that, however simply being constant and serving to our crew each night time and having an impression.”
Boldy sustained an AC joint sprain within the second recreation of the 2023-24 season. That led to a gradual begin, and he didn’t rating his second aim of the season till his thirteenth recreation — Hynes’ debut as coach. He went on a tear from there, scoring 28 targets and 61 factors in his remaining 63 video games.
How does this impression the Wild?
Within the short-term, it’s going to imply some line juggling as Boldy began camp on the second line with Marcus Johansson and Joel Eriksson Ek and was anticipated to be on the No. 1 energy play.
However long-term, it may really harm the penalty kill extra.
The Wild ranked thirtieth within the NHL final season on the penalty kill. New assistant coach Jack Capuano’s philosophy is that stars must be on the penalty kill if they’ve the precise talent set. Capuano, who will share PK teaching duties with Pat Dwyer, has pointed to the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins as examples of groups that use prime scorers on the PK.
Boldy, who didn’t play on the penalty kill in his three years within the NHL, is predicted to be the large inner personnel addition this season due to his smarts, lengthy attain and offensive prowess. Capuano mentioned Monday that Boldy will nonetheless participate in all of the PK conferences in camp, however he clearly wants reps and the damage will seemingly imply he can’t begin the season on the PK.
“It’s disappointing that that the damage did occur, as a result of you may present them as a lot video as they need, however the repetition’s gonna drive the execution, proper?” Capuano mentioned. “So, you wish to have plenty of reps, and sadly for him, he gained’t.”
Does Boldy’s damage open the door for different gamers?
Nicely, if it’s true Boldy might be prepared for the beginning of the season, technically no.
However what it does do is create an elevated position for others in camp, particularly children like Liam Ohgren, Caedan Bankier and maybe Riley Heidt and among the depth forwards who performed effectively throughout Saturday’s 5-2 win at Winnipeg. These gamers embody Travis Boyd, Ben Jones and Devin Shore.
This additionally could permit Freddy Gaudreau, who’s hoping for a bounceback 12 months after 5 targets final season however is presently penciled in at fourth-line proper wing, to maneuver to the next line till Boldy returns.
Heidt and Ohgren, who ought to make their preseason debuts Wednesday in Dallas, haven’t been on common NHL strains in camp as of but, so Boldy’s damage may permit them observe and recreation reps with larger high quality gamers. In the long term, that might give them extra of an opportunity to shine as administration evaluates issues the rest of camp and prematurely of ultimate roster cuts.
(Picture: Bruce Bennett / Getty Photos)
