After watching Jason Zucker skate through a full-throttle practice Friday, Mike Yeo was asked if the timetable for the Wild winger's return had been accelerated. The coach said no, then added — although with lots of qualifiers — that the answer might be an unexpected yes.
"Kind of eyeing possibly the last couple of games [of the regular season]," Yeo said. "But we'll make sure on that first."
Translation: Zucker, who broke his collarbone on Feb. 9 and wasn't expected to play for three months, might be back in the lineup next week. Though it was hardly definitive, Yeo's pronouncement was so surprising that he was asked to clarify it, just to ensure he had been heard correctly. After saying for the past couple of weeks that Zucker was still "a ways away" from getting the green light to play again, Yeo now hopes to get him into the lineup during the three-game road trip that ends the regular season.
The popular winger was clearly overjoyed to hold his own during a demanding, fast-paced practice at St. Thomas Ice Arena. Yeo was almost as happy as Zucker was.
Despite playing only 48 games, Zucker's 18 goals this season are the fourth most on the Wild roster, and his speed and skill will become even more valued commodities as the playoffs approach.
"It felt great," said Zucker, who has 23 points and two game-winning goals this season. "After skating alone for so long, it's always nice to be with the team.
"Hopefully, I keep getting better execution-wise in practice, and I'll be able to get in a few games at the end [of the regular season]. Today was a good first step."
Friday's practice also was a step forward for two other players on their way back from injuries. Defenseman Nate Prosser, who has missed eight games because of a sprained knee, will rejoin the lineup Saturday against Detroit.