The Minnesota Wild got a mixed update Monday on Marcus and Nick Foligno, and the news leaves one brother in a holding pattern while the other is set to miss a bit more time.
Before Minnesota’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, head coach John Hynes said Marcus Foligno is day-to-day, while Nick Foligno will be out longer - but not for an extended stretch.
"Marcus, I'm waiting on. He's got an appointment, so I'm waiting to hear back on that," Hynes said Monday. "I would classify him right now as day to day, and Nick is a little bit longer than that, but not like a long-term deal."
Nick’s latest absence has already stretched across multiple games. He played only 3:29 in the opening period before exiting and not returning, then missed the Wild’s games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Panthers before landing on injured reserve.
Hynes’ comments point to a recovery that will take more time than Marcus’ situation, though the Wild coach made it clear the expectation is still for Nick’s issue to be short of a long-term injury.
Marcus’ status is a little less clear for now. Hynes said he is still waiting on an appointment and the follow-up after that will help determine where things stand.
The injury situation hits a Minnesota forward group that has already had to shuffle early in the season. The team recently recalled Rieger Lorenz, who made his NHL debut Saturday against Florida.
Both Foligno brothers matter in different ways for the Wild. They bring size, edge and veteran presence, and Minnesota has felt the loss of that kind of body-and-brain combination as the season gets rolling.
Nick’s medical history adds another layer of uncertainty here. He had surgery in May 2023 after dealing with an injury that affected his skating and explosiveness for much of the season.
The next year, he had another procedure after a groin injury ended his 2023-24 season early. Those surgeries were on opposite sides of his body.
Still, there’s been no indication from the team that this current issue is tied to either of those earlier operations.
For now, the Wild will keep waiting on Marcus’ evaluation and plan for Nick to miss a little more time, hoping both brothers can get back into the lineup sooner rather than later.
In Other News...
Wild Blue Line Suddenly Has A Chance To Change This Start
The early weeks have given Minnesota something it has not always had on the blue line: steady production from the defense as well as cleaner play in its own end. Quinn Hughes and Jared Spurgeon have helped stabilize the group while also chipping in offensively, giving the Wild a more balanced look than the one that so often leaves the forwards carrying the load.
Spurgeons start has been notable enough on its own, but the pairing of his production with Hughes has pushed it into unusual territory for the franchise and, apparently, for the league record book as well. For a team trying to build a more reliable foundation this season, the fact that both defensemen have kept contributing every night is a welcome development, even if the full significance of the run is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Kaprizov Just Led The Kind Of Wild Win Fans Needed
Kirill Kaprizov gave the Wild exactly the sort of night they needed in South Florida, piling up a hat trick and an assist in Minnesotas 4-1 win over the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. Matt Boldy chipped in a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt backed it up with 29 saves as the Wild handled a Florida team that never found much traction offensively outside of Matthew Tkachuks lone goal.
The result stood out even more because Minnesotas special teams held up well while Floridas power play sputtered throughout the night. For a Wild club looking for a confidence-building road win, the combination of Kaprizov driving the attack and Wallstedt settling things down in net was the kind of formula that can travel, even if one key scoring sequence from the star winger will be the part everyone wants to go back and see. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Home Opener Brings An Early Test Fans Will Want To See
The Wild finally get to open the home schedule against a Vegas team that has given them plenty of meaningful games in recent seasons, and it comes with some early-season momentum after the win in Florida. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy helped set the tone on the road, and Jesper Wallstedt is back in goal as Minnesota looks to carry that same edge into St. Paul.
Vegas brings its own challenge, especially with both clubs showing plenty of strength on special teams, which could make this feel less like an opener and more like an immediate measuring stick. Minnesota also has recent success against the Golden Knights to draw on, but home openers can have a way of turning familiar matchups into something sharper, and this one already has that sort of feel. [Read more 🡒]