Wild: Three weeks later, Koivu still sidelined

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: December 6, 2007 - 9:10 PM

DETROIT - When the Wild announced that Mikko Koivu would miss "about a week" because of a broken fibula last month, it seemed like an underestimation.

After all, Todd White broke his fibula late two seasons ago and was told he'd miss six weeks if the season hadn't ended. However, White's fracture was near the ankle (weight-bearing bone) -- much lower than Koivu's.

Still, tonight marks three weeks since Koivu's left fibula was broken in Vancouver, and he has yet to begin practicing with the team.

"There is an established medical view of these types of fractures -- because it is a non-weight bearing bone, the athlete can play when he can tolerate it, meaning he has enough strength to push and turn the leg, and can tolerate any remaining discomfort," assistant general manager Tom Lynn said. "That period can be as short as three days or as long as six weeks.

"In this case, because of the location and severity of the non-displaced fracture, our doctor initially believed this would be on the shorter end of the scale. Unfortunately, bodies heal on their own schedule and there is nothing we can do to hurry it up. The bone is now showing strong callusing, and Mikko will begin ramping up his pressure on it.

"One thing we do know for sure -- Mikko fervently wants to be back playing."

Koivu didn't travel with the Wild on Thursday for games against the Red Wings (today) and Columbus Blue Jackets (Saturday). The team will return to Minnesota on Sunday before resuming its five-game trip to California on Monday, but it doesn't seem likely that Koivu will travel with the Wild to San Jose to at least practice.

"He is skating, and he will continue to progress until he is close to full practice, whereupon he will join the team on the trip," Lynn said.

Schultz OK after scare

After further review, defenseman Nick Schultz made the trip to Detroit and expects to play tonight.

Schultz initially was expected to miss at least the next two games after being hit in the throat by a puck Wednesday night. Flyers winger Joffrey Lupul's attempted pass ramped up Schultz's stick and struck him to the right of his larynx.

"I couldn't catch my breath," Schultz said. "I went right off and into the doc's room, got the oxygen mask on me and finally got my breath back after a couple of minutes. I probably was panicking more than anything."

Schultz spent the night in a St. Paul hospital, but a CT scan was negative. He only has a bruise.

"It's pretty scary stuff," Schultz said. "They monitored me to make sure my throat didn't swell up."

He said the worst part was when a camera was inserted through his nose to look at his throat.

"I thought I was going to gag," he said. "Initially, Dr. [Sheldon] Burns figured I'd be off for a while and couldn't travel, but the nose and throat specialist said I'm fine."

In six seasons, Schultz has missed one game, Feb. 8, 2002, against Colorado because of a shoulder injury.

Etc.

• Left winger Derek Boogaard skated at the end of Thursday's practice but will miss his sixth game tonight because of a back injury. Boogaard said he's had a herniated disk in his back for the past six years and "every now and then it pops up." Boogaard said he'll likely need surgery when his career is over.

• Left winger Mark Parrish is expected to return tonight from a hip injury.