Zucker (shoulder) was cleared to take contact Friday, Rachel Blount of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The news come as a pleasant development for the Wild, as it appeared as recent as a week the team was not expecting to have Zucker available until May. However, we has back on the ice Friday with the rest of the team and didn't appear to be under any limitations. Coach Mike Yeo suggested that Zucker could possibly play in the last couple of games of the regular season next week, which would give him a proper tune-up before the playoffs begin. The winger still ranks among the team's leading goal scorers with 18 in 48 games.

Coach Mike Yeo acknowledged that Zucker (shoulder) is still not close to a return, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Zucker has skated the last few days, but Yeo said that the forward isn't expected to be cleared for contact at any point in the near future. Yeo seemed to concede that the three-month timetable that the Wild initially outlined for Zucker in early February would likely hold true, putting him on track to return no earlier than May.

Coach Mike Yeo indicated Friday that Zucker (shoulder) is probably a month away from a return to competitive action, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Zucker's broken collarbone has been healing as anticipated, but the chances of him appearing before the regular season ends Apr. 11 still seem to be rather remote. Instead, it's more likely that Zucker will target a return during the first round of the playoffs, though that assumes he won't endure any setbacks along the way in the recovery process.

Zucker (shoulder) may have a shot to return for the playoffs, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Zucker has resumed skating on his own, and while it seems he's ahead of his original timetable, he still won't return by the end of the regular season. He might need the Wild to make a playoff run, which certainly isn't out of the question.

Zucker will require surgery on a broken clavicle suffered in Monday's game against the Canucks and will be out for three months, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.Barring an unexpected deep playoff run by the Wild, Zucker will have his second consecutive season end early due to surgery, after requiring a procedure on his left quad tendon last March. This setback is arguably more troubling for Zucker, as it comes in the midst of what has been a highly impressive season for the 22-year-old. After not being guaranteed of an Opening Night roster spot heading into training camp, Zucker played his way into a top-six role for the Wild, tallying 18 goals over 48 games. In Zucker's absence, Nino Niederreiter is set to join the Wild's second line of Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville.

Zucker (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, KSTP.com reports.Coach Mike Yeo indicated Zucker would be in line for an extended absence after leaving Monday's game against the Canucks with the injury, and his placement on IR would seem to verify as much. Zucker won't be eligible to return to action until the Wild's Feb. 18 game against the Flames, but he would probably need to practice a few days before that date to have even a shot at playing. It doesn't sound like the Wild are optimistic that will happen, so it's possible Zucker might be out for multiple week.s

Zucker suffered an upper-body injury during Monday's game against the Canucks and is expected to be sidelined for extended time, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports.An official timetable for Zucker's return to the ice has not been released, although coach Mike Yeo said that he doesn't expect Zucker back on the ice in the near future. As a result, the 23-year-old should be considered out until further news is released by the Wild.

Zucker potted his 18th goal of the season in Tuesday's win over the Blackhawks. Zucker has scored in back-to-back contests and trails only Zach Parise for the team goal lead. His sniping abilities should keep him locked into a second-line role ahead of fellow youngsters Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter, neither of whom have matched Zucker's production of late.

Zucker bagged his 15th goal of the season and attempted five shots in Thursday's loss to the Blackhawks. Zucker has been stellar during his two-game trial on the top line in place of Zach Parise. He's now tallied three goals, an assist and 13 shots, allowing him to overtake Parise and Nino Niederreiter for the team goal lead. If he's still floating around on the waiver wire, Zucker is probably worth scooping up -- at least while he retains a cushy role on the top trio.

Zucker factored into all three Minnesota goals Tuesday, scoring two and notching the primary assist on Jared Spurgeon's tally, but it wasn't enough in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sharks. Well, you can't blame Zucker, who went plus-3 on the night and unleashed eight shots on goal (his second-highest total of the season) over nearly 19 minutes of ice time. An impressive way to bounce back from the minus-4 rating he posted in a disastrous loss to Dallas on Saturday.