LOS ANGELES – Nick Bjugstad has been cleared to return, but he won't play Friday night against the Kings at Staples Center when the Wild's four-game road trip continues.
This trip wraps up Saturday at San Jose. Bjugstad hasn't played since he suffered an upper-body injury on April 5.
"We'll evaluate and make decisions," coach Dean Evason said.
The Wild brings a five-game win streak into its final matchup of the regular season with Los Angeles. Cam Talbot has been in net for four of those victories. He's 5-0-1 over his last six starts and is 4-0-2 in the last six games he's started on the road. During that span, he carries a 1.93 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.
During a day off on the trip, the Wild addressed its future by signing center Ryan Hartman to a three-year, $5.1 million contract extension on Thursday.
Hartman was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In 40 games this season, Hartman has six goals and 12 assists.
"It's an exciting day for me and my family," Hartman said Friday. "It's the longest deal I've had since my entry-level [contract]. I've been playing off of one- and two-year deals. I like the camaraderie of this team, this locker room, the direction of this team is heading – a lot of upside – and I think we're just getting started.
"It was something that I maybe could have waited for. But I think at the same time, it runs the risk of me not being here if I wasn't to make something happen sooner than later."
