Bone has healed, but Koivu having muscle pain in leg

Last update: December 17, 2007 - 9:28 PM

Mikko Koivu's left leg felt good as he skated alone Sunday. But it took only a few attempts to know there would be no skating Monday.

That's the frustrating reality for Koivu, who has been out since Nov. 16, when he took a two-handed whack on the back of the leg from Vancouver defenseman Mattias Ohlund. The cracked bone has healed, but Koivu is fighting through muscle pain. Bottom line is, neither Wild GM Doug Risebrough nor coach Jacques Lemaire expects Koivu to practice any time soon. Lemaire said that Koivu will need three or four good practices before he can play in a game and that he might be back by the end of the month.

Koivu is clearly tired of being away from his team. "It's especially tough when the team is on the road," he said. "But it is what it is, an you have to keep [working]. I'm working every day to get back with the guys."

So does Koivu ever ponder the fact that Ohlund received a four-game suspension while he has already missed 13 games?

"I just want to get healthy and help the team," he said. "That's all I can worry about."

Meanwhile, Derek Boogaard had his back re-examined Monday. Pavol Demitra missed practice because of the flu.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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