The Minnesota Wild won't have one of their key playmakers in the lineup when the 2020-21 campaign begins.
Mats Zuccarello will not be ready for the start of the season after undergoing right arm surgery several weeks ago, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo. The winger left his native Norway for Minnesota to consult with his team's medical staff, reports Russo.
Doctors found a torn ligament in Zuccarello's arm, and the 33-year-old played through the injury for most of 2019-20, Russo adds. It's the same arm Zuccarello broke in his first game with the Dallas Stars in 2018-19.
The 10-year veteran produced 15 goals and 22 assists in 65 games for the Wild last season. It was his first with Minnesota after signing a five-year, $30-million contract with the club as a free agent on July 1, 2019.
Zuccarello spent his first eight campaigns and much of his ninth with the New York Rangers before they traded him to the Stars in February 2019. He ultimately played only two regular-season games and 13 playoff contests before signing with the Wild.
