Minnesota’s biggest issue right now is not their play on the ice, talent on the roster or will to win. It’s health (and one stupid suspension). They’ve dealt with injuries and missed games by just about every single major contributor on both forward and defensive lines.

Right now, they’re missing a few of their best forwards, including the greatest player in Minnesota Wild franchise history, Kirill Kaprizov, who was on pace to win the Hart Trophy (MVP) before he went down with a lower body injury at the end of January. His return, prior the end of the regular season, is up in the air.

Earlier in the week, the Wild had to place Joel Eriksson Ek on injured reserve too, after he suffered a mysterious practice injury. Meanwhile, we still await the return of Ryan Hartman who is serving the end of what was originally a 10-game suspension (reduced to 8 games) for shoving someone’s face into the ice on a faceoff early this month.

Minnesota Wild lose Travis Dermott via waiver reclaim by Edmonton Oilers

But on Wednesday afternoon, it wasn’t a key player the Minnesota Wild organization lost, and it wasn’t to injury. Instead, they lost 28-year-old defenseman Travis Dermott, who they waived on February 25. Today, he was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers.

Defenseman Travis Dermott has been claimed off waivers by the Edmonton Oilers. https://t.co/KvNvpGREIZ

— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) February 26, 2025

When the Wild originally landed Dermott back in December, it was via waiver claim from the Oilers, who reclaimed him today. That’s part of the reason why Edmonton was able to immediately send him down to AHL Bakersfield. Minnesota would have likely assigned him to Iowa, had he cleared waivers.

Related: Ryan Hartman Suspension Shortened After Appeal

After playing 10 games with the Oilers earlier this season, Travis Dermott ended up playing 9 games with the Minnesota Wild. In those 19 total NHL appearances in 2024-25, he’s totaled 0 points and a -3 +/-, during his 12:16 TOI.

Even at 28, the best years of this Canadian’s NHL career seem to be behind him. Dermott seems to have peaked between the ages of 22 and 23 years old, when he was in the middle of his rookie contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Those two seasons, he averaged 17:18 TOI and posted 28 total points with a +9 point differential while on the ice.

NHL turns blind eye to Evander Kane hit on Jonas Brodin

You be the judge. The first video below is Kane’s hit on Brodin, which got Evander Kane a phone call from league offices, but ultimately no suspension or fine. The video immediately below it is an arguably similar hit from from 2022 in which the aggressor was tagged with a 5-minute penalty and 1-game suspension.

For those who missed it, the uncalled hit on Brodin by Kane that knocked Brodin out of the game and resulted in a penalty to Hartman for going after Kane pic.twitter.com/RZjSsTxgpd

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) December 9, 2023

Casey Cazikas received a 5 minute boarding penalty and a 1 game suspension for this hit on Brendan Smith. Smith also “shoulder checked” before he was hit into the boards. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nIoshrZn5H

— Spinorama 🔄 Hockey (@spinohockey) December 9, 2023

Related: Dean Evason Blames Wild Goalies for Getting Him Fired

Brodin to miss significant time with upper-body injury

Anyway, crying over Brodin’s illegally spilled blood won’t get him on the ice any faster. And that’s where the bad news comes in. While Kane’s hit on Brodin may not have netted him a fine or suspension, it is going to land the Minnesota Wild defenseman in the press box for the foreseeable future.

On Saturday evening, Michael Russo (The Athletic) is reporting that Jonas Brodin will “miss significant time” due to an upper-body injury he suffered thanks to Kane’s totally not illegal hit.

Hearing #mnwild defenseman Jonas Brodin is going to miss significant time with an upper-body injury.

For the short term, Wild can insert Alex Goligoski or Zach Bogosian (if he’s healthy) back into the lineup, but this may open door for Daemon Hunt to return at some point

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 9, 2023

Related: Wild in Advanced Talks with Tim Walz, Others on Major Renovations for Xcel Energy Center