Minnesota Wild News

With Minnesota getting healthy bodies back, Ben Jones found himself the odd man out on Friday as he was reassigned to Iowa (AHL). The 26-year-old took 20 games to pick up his first career point this season but has since collected two points in his last six games played. In 26 games this season, he has two points in 26 games played and will be one of the first call ups when Minnesota needs an extra forward.

Haight's most recent call up lasted three games as the 21-year-old centre has been returned to Iowa (AHL) on Friday with Minnesota having a few players return from injury. The 21-year-old Haight made his NHL debut in October but has yet to pick up his first career point. He returns to Iowa, where he had seven goals and 12 points in 26 games prior to his most recent call up.

Aube-Kubel was reassigned to make room for Joel Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) being activated off injured reserve. Aube-Kubel has zero goals and one assist in four NHL games this season.

Spacek will be the odd-man out on the Wild blue-line when they host the Red Wings on Thursday. David Jiricek will play in his place.

Johansson has been sidelined for the last week because of a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 35-year-old Johansson is pacing for career-best offensive totals, with 34 points (13G / 21A) in 46 games. That said, his production has cooled down in recent weeks, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last eight games.

Eriksson Ek has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury two weeks ago, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:34 time-on-ice and has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games this season.

Johansson has been sidelined for the last week because of a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 35-year-old Johansson is pacing for career-best offensive totals, with 34 points (13G / 21A) in 46 games. That said, his production has cooled down in recent weeks, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last eight games.

Eriksson Ek has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury two weeks ago, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:34 time-on-ice and has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games this season. If he is able to play, expect him to return to his role on the team's top powerplay unit.

Gustavsson has battled through some inconsistencies lately, but saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in his previous outing to salvage a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has a 2.67 GAA and .892 SV% in his last eight games (4-2-2). Minnesota enters the action on Thursday as -140 home favorites against a surging Detroit Red Wings team that defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime last night to improve to 7-1-0 in their last eight games.

Brodin has already missed seven games this season due to injuries and is inline to miss at least the next two and a half weeks before the NHL shuts down for the Olympic Break. The 32-year-old Brodin is averaging 21:20 time-on-ice and has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 42 games this season.

David Jiricek will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Spacek to re-enter the lineup against the Montreal Canadiens. The 22-year-old Spacek recently made his NHL debut, playing 11:59 time-on-ice on the third defensive pair.

After an otherworldly six-week run in which he posted an outstanding 1.74 GAA and .949 SV% in 11 games (9-2-0), Wallstedt has seen a significant decline in his performance. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie has a concerning 3.81 GAA and .864 SV% in his last six games (2-2-2). Minnesota enters the action on Tuesday as +118 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team that has lost two of its last three games (1-1-1).

Fabbri has not played in over two weeks, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Fabbri is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has three assists in nine games this season.

Brink left last Tuesday's game vs. Anaheim after just one shift and 26 seconds TOI due to an upper-body injury and has not played since. The 24-year-old forward has taken a step forward offensively in his third NHL season this year, with 11 goals, 20 points and 71 SOG in 41 games played.

Minnesota's success earlier this season was largely aided by elite goaltending, which they have struggled to find in recent games. That said, Gustavsson helped his team record a 5-4 victory in their most recent game despite allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%). The 27-year-old Gustavsson has a 2.84 GAA and .880 SV% in his last four games (1-2-1). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.