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.

Filip Gustavsson notched a shutout in his final warmup before the regular season begins on Thursday. Kirill Kaprizov potted a goal early in the 3rd and Mats Zuccarello notched two impressive assists. Oh, and Ryan Hartman got a postgame contract extension.

Related: Dean Evason Hot Seat Check: 6 Questions for Minnesota Wild Entering 2023-24

Minnesota Wild strong preseason overshadowed by 3rd period chaos

But things started to unravel on the ice, after Marco Rossi’s goal a bit later in the period, when Pat Maroon and Jamie Benn went toe-to-toe on the ensuing face-off.

Too much happening, Rossi pots one home, and Maroon takes on Benn. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/EieOADWHop

— Wild Takes (@WildTakes10k) October 8, 2023

Clearly, the Wild used this preseason game, not only to get their minds right for the regular season, but to exact revenge on a divisional rival who they lost an intense playoff series to last season.

And the crowd at the Xcel Energy Center was no different. When Benn was in the penalty box, after his fight with Maroon, a fan threw popcorn on his head and he lost his mind.

A fan just threw popcorn at Jamie Benn in the penalty box and now he's screaming at the fans. This is turning ugly

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 8, 2023

Brandon Duhaime vs Mason Marchment

If there was any question about their intent entering the final period, Brandon Duhaime put an end to that when he went begging for a fight with Mason Marchment, that he eventually got. When the dust settled on the scrum, Marchment got a 10-minute game misconduct and Duhaime got a 2-5-10 for instigating it.

Brandon Duhaime wants to go with Mason Marchment off the draw. Marchment says no. Duhaime hammers Dellandrea and eventually doesn't give Marchment the choice.

Absolute chaos pic.twitter.com/y0mW9LWWfj

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 8, 2023

Minnesota finishes their preseason 5-1-0 and, as noted earlier, will drop the puck on their regular season, Thursday, when they play the Florida Panthers in St. Paul.

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan