The Minnesota Wild (5-2-1) are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday night at Grand Casino Arena, where Kirill Kaprizov is back in the lineup, after he missed Saturday’s practice with an illness.
Unfortunately, that was most of the good news on the injury front, where the only other official note was captain Jared Spurgeon being placed on injured reserve. The other injury updates came via head coach John Hynes’ pregame press conference. Again, none of them were particularly positive.
Filip Gustavsson injury timeline update
Let’s start at goalie, where Jesper Wallstedt started in net yet again Sunday against the Blue Jackets. From what Hines toldMichael Russo (The Athletic) and other reporters today, we’ll be seeing a lot of the 23-year-old Swede for at least the next month.
While Gus Bus has returned to the practice ice, following offseason surgery on his hip, Minnesota’s older Swedish goalie (28 y/o) is still “quite a ways” out from returning to the active roster.
Filip Gustavsson, who had hip surgery after last season’s playoffs to address a lingering injury, has started getting on the ice. But that doesn’t mean he’s close to making his season debut.
Coach John Hynes said Sunday that Gustavsson is “quite a ways” away from playing. “I don’t think less than a month,” Hynes said.
The Athletic
Related: MN Wild Goalie Calls Out Blues Goalie for “Dirty Play” on Kirill Kaprizov
The Wild placed Gustavsson on long-term injured reserve Oct. 9. If Hynes’ timeline holds, Gustavsson’s season debut would come no earlier than mid-November.
Last season, the former 55th overall draft pick went 28-15-6 with a 2.69 goals-against average, .904 save percentage and four shutouts in 50 games. He then appeared in one playoff game (it didn’t go well).
Jesper Wallstedt carrying the load in net for MN Wild
Even when Gustavsson returns, the net belongs to Wallstedt.
The 23-year-old enters Sunday’s game 5-1-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .921 save percentage in seven appearances. He was the better netminder last year too, posting a 2.16 GAA and .916 save percentage.
JESPER WALLSTEDT GRAND LARCENY https://t.co/PPEd7SAXKP
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 7, 2026
Calvin Pickard will back up Wallstedt at least until Gustavsson is ready to return, according to Russo. Pickard, who spent the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, has appeared in one game for Minnesota this season.
That first start did not go well. Pickard allowed five goals on 25 shots to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. For now, it’s the Wild’s only regulation loss of the season.
Kaprizov in, but more MN Wild injury news ahead of road trip
Hunter Haight and Carson Lambos were recalled from Iowa as insurance Sunday. Because Kaprizov was able to go, they did not suit up. We’ll hopefully find out how Kaprizov was feeling after the game, but he sure looked just fine on this second period snipe.
Worth every goddamn ruble https://t.co/qlN7IFJHVL
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 18, 2026
Hynes also told reporters that Nick Foligno (wrist), Marcus Foligno (mid body) and Olli Maatta (upper body) are all unlike to travel for the start of Minnesota’s upcoming five-game road trip, which opens Tuesday in Edmonton.
Per Russo, the Minnesota Wild head coach is still waiting for more information on whether or not Jared Spurgeon (upper body) or Nico Sturm (concussion) will be ready to go.