UPDATE FROM ASSISTANT GM BRENT FLAHR: Koivu will be placed on injured reserve so they can recall a to-be-determined player. However, because it's retroactive to last Wednesday, if Koivu feels he can play vs. the Oilers, he can be activated and a player can be reassigned.
Jeff Taffe is the recall. He had two assists, plus-3 and four shots in the last 2 Wild wins.
Wild captain Mikko Koivu will likely miss a fourth straight game Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Koivu is officially listed as doubtful, but the Wild may very well recall a forward.
If that's the case, unless the Wild swaps that forward for somebody here in Edmonton, Koivu will have to be placed on injured reserve to create a roster spot. That would be retroactive to Dec. 14, meaning if Koivu made a recovery by Monday's game vs. Colorado, he could be activated and play.
If the Wild calls up a forward (likely somebody we've seen recently), that indeed means what Mike Yeo seemed to indicate yesterday -- Colton Gillies won't play in Edmonton either. Yeo wants Gillies to take some time off the ice and reset his mind and start over during the Christmas break. If you didn't see that story, click this link.
Other than that, crickets. The Wild had the day off. The Oil's lost four in a row. The Wild's winless in five. Nik Backstrom's your starter.
I'll update the forward being recalled when I'm able.
Monday's Wild game vs. Colorado will be on Fox Sports North Plus. Here's a directory on where to find this oh-so special channel
