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Wild's Niklas Backstrom had nerve damage in elbow; couldn't use right hand

Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom temporary lost function in his right hand as a result of a nerve damage to his elbow suffered in last year's preseason.

He shed light on the injury in an interview with Finland's MTV 3, as translated by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

It was a bit scary situation. It happened pretty fast. All of a sudden two fingers are not working. Even in rest, two fingers were motionless. I couldn't use my right hand to drive a car or to hold a phone. There's a lot of stuff that's happened during my career, but this really made me stop and think. You need your hand for the rest of your career. I'm right-handed.

Backstrom, who underwent surgery after the Wild's second-round playoff exit, is believed to have avoided his contract being bought out because he's not technically fit to play.

He's not expected to be cleared until training camp, according to his agent, indicating the Wild will be on the hook for his $4-million salary next season.

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