The NHL season still doesn't have a start date but the Minnesota Wild will reportedly begin the season shorthanded after winger Mats Zuccarello had right arm surgery a few weeks ago.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, Zuccarello has returned to Minnesota from Norway to meet with team doctors.
The surgery was on the same arm Zuccarello broke while blocking a shot late in the 2018-19 season while playing for the Dallas Stars but Russo reports it's unclear if the injury is related.
Zuccarello signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Wild before the 2019-20 season. In 65 games last year, he had 15 goals and 37 points, his lowest point total in seven seasons.
While Zuccarello's injury will leave a hole in the Wild's top six, general manager Bill Guerin has been busy this off-season adding other forward talent. That includes acquiring Nick Bonino, Marcus Johansson and Nick Bjugstad in trades and selecting Marco Rossi ninth-overall in the NHL Draft.
