Nico Sturm Will Enter Wild's Lineup If Danila Yurov Becomes Unavailable

With the Minnesota Wild already dealing with injuries to goaltender Filip Gustavsson and defenseman Brock Faber, they could be adding center Danila Yurov to that list.

Yurov exited Monday's practice with an upper-body injury. Yurov was banged up on Saturday against the Boston Bruins, and the Wild coaching staff knew Yurov would not skate for the entire practice.

If the 22-year-old is unable to play on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, Nico Sturm will enter the lineup in his place. If Yurov is out, the lines will change.

Ryan Hartman will move into Yurov's spot, centering Maxim Shabanov and Kirill Kaprizov. The Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Blake Coleman line will remain together, as Michael McCarron receives a promotion to the third line with Bobby Brink and Yakov Trenin.

Sturm will join the fourth line with the Foligno brothers, with Nick centering the line. 

Sturm had a tough go during the 2025-26 NHL season. He featured in just 49 games, scoring five goals and 11 points. He averaged 10:57 of ice time but truly never looked like his usual self.

With improved health, Sturm believes he has more to offer the Wild. Tuesday, against a strong opponent, could be his chance to do so. 

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