Centre Mikko Koivu returns but too late to salvage Minnesota Wild playoffs chances-NHL News
The Minnesota Wild confirmed Wednesday, March 21, 2012, that the centre, Mikko Koivu, has been cleared to play and is expected to join the squad in the near future.
Despite that the player is excited to return to the team after missing about a dozen games with a shoulder injury, the comeback might not serve the cause of his team.
Wild are far from reaching the playoffs and despite that the player is available for rest of the season it will not salvage or boost their chances for the second round.
Minnesota were hit by the centre’s injury in the later part of the season. He remains crucial to their performance and wins, and his shoulder injury proved to be a setback to the team’s efforts of progression in the season.
Koivu returned to join the team for practice on Thursday and apparently felt ok and fit. He said he was excited to join the squad for the next game.
"Yeah, very excited. I'm a little bit nervous. I missed a lot of games. I think always (when) you come back you're waiting for the game, the pace of the game. It's always different in practice than in a game. Being nervous, in a good way."
He is the team’s third leading scorer despite that the injury affected his run. He said that he was definitely going play the game for sake of the peace of mind, despite that, he admitted, that the team was not in a good position.
He added:
"It's not going to be about me; it's about the team and the way that we play. I have to know where to go, timing-wise. I have to be ready for contact as well. But that's part of the game. It's also the fun part."
Given his level of game and stature he is considered to be a leader in the locker room and on the ice. His role in the team remains central and crucial, and carries forward the performance of other players.
The player had been awarded a seven-year $47.25 million in July 2010 but since then his career has been on and off due to a number of injury problems. He so far has missed 27 games this season, and has rather become cautious lately.
Minnesota are at 13th position in the Eastern Conference, quite far away from even last spot for the playoffs hopefuls.
However, the team certainly have chances to salvage their reputation by scoring victories in their remaining games and the centre’s role is going to be important in their improved forms and performance.
This is for the second time that the player has missed few games due to the same injury. He earlier returned from it on January 14, 2012, which proved to be a premature comeback, and he again suffered the injury.
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