The Minnesota Wild are going to have to start the season without one of their more important forwards.
Mats Zuccarello is expected to miss at least seven weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.
Zuccarello, 38, had 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 69 games last season.
The Norwegian has 217 goals and 473 assists for 690 points in 904 career games with the Wild, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers.
Zuccarello joined the Stars in 2019 when he signed a five-year, $30-million deal. He then signed a two-year, $8.25-million extension in the summer of 2023, meaning Zuccarello is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
Zuccarello broke into the NHL in 2010 as an undrafted player with the Rangers.
