Minnesota Wild’s Top Trade Deadline Asset Ruled Out 4-6 Weeks After Back Surgery

The Minnesota Wild are playing the Blackhawks tonight on TNT, in the national spotlight. But just as the puck dropped in Chicago at the United Center, the Wild’s PR account snuck some pretty significant injury news out.

Pat Maroon out 4-6 weeks after back surgery

Apparently, veteran winger Pat Maroon, who was widely regarding as the Wild’s most intriguing asset leading up to the trade deadline next month, had successful back surgery on Wednesday. He’s expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

Injury Update: Pat Maroon underwent successful back surgery yesterday and is expected to miss approximately 4-6 weeks.

— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) February 8, 2024

The 35-year-old Maroon has 4 goals and 12 assists on the season. He won three cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning when they three-peated in 2019, ’20 and ’21. Even better, he’s on an expiring contract so the Wild will likely lose him after the season, for nothing.

Related: Kirill Kaprizov Reminds Calder Trophy Voters Not to Forget About Marco Rossi

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild just went from a lack of viable trade assets at the deadline to really having none. Things just keep getting better in St. Paul.