Zuccarello registered an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

The Wild balanced ice time well, with Zuccarello seeing 16:14 in a first-line role and power-play usage. The 38-year-old missed 15 contests due to a lower-body injury, which he sustained before the preseason. Zuccarello was initially given a 7-8 week timeline in late September, but he was back a little earlier than expected. The winger is injury-prone, and his age adds more risk, but he's productive when he is healthy.

Zuccarello (lower body) was taken off injured reserve ahead of Friday's clash with the Islanders, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello should be in line for a top-six role as he makes his 2025-26 season debut. In 69 games for the Wild last year, the veteran winger notched 19 goals and 35 helpers, including 16 power-play points. Even if Zuccarello doesn't miss any more games this year, he won't reach the 70-game mark for the third straight season, which could also stop him from getting over the 20-goal threshold.

Zuccarello (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game in Carolina, per Joe Smith of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello has a good chance to return to the lineup Friday against the Islanders. The 38-year-old native of Norway will miss his 15th game of the season. He will replace Marcus Johansson on the top line, alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi, if he is cleared to play Friday.

Zuccarello (lower body) was labeled day-to-day ahead of Thursday's matchup with Carolina, Wild broadcaster Kevin Falness reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello looks poised to return from his lower-body injury after missing the first 14 games of the year. At this point, the veteran winger will likely miss the 20-goal threshold for the third straight season even if he does play Thursday. Once given the all-clear, Zuccarello figures to return to a top-six role and may link up with the No. 1 power-play unit.

Per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com, Zuccarello (lower body) could return in the next week or so, according to head coach John Hynes on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported Tuesday that Zuccarello was 2-4 weeks away from returning to game action, but that timetable has been moved up. Zuccarello has dealt with a lower-body issue since training camp and has yet to play a game in 2025-26. Upon his return to the lineup, look for Zuccarello to have a spot as a top-six forward, with Marcus Johansson likely moving down to the third line. The 38-year-old Zuccarello had 19 goals and 35 assists in 69 regular-season games in 2024-25.

Zuccarello (lower body) was on the ice for Tuesday's game-day skate but remains 2-4 weeks from returning to action, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello has yet to get into the lineup this season and will likely have to wait until closer to mid-November to get his first opportunity to suit up this year. Once given the all-clear, Zuccarello should be in line for a top-six role, which could mean Marcus Johansson is relegated to a spot in the bottom six.

Zuccarello (lower body) was shifted to injured reserve Monday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello isn't expected back in the lineup for the foreseeable future, as the Wild said Tuesday that the veteran forward is set to miss at least 7-8 weeks as a result of his lower-body injury. While the 38-year-old is sidelined, Vladimir Tarasenko figures to fill a top-six role, and Matt Boldy will probably see his average ice time increase for the third consecutive season as a result of Zuccarello's absence.

Zuccarello is slated to miss 7-8 weeks, at minimum, due to his lower-body injury, the Wild announced Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello will almost certainly start the 2025-26 season on long-term injured reserve given his recovery timeline. With the veteran winger on the shelf, Liam Ohgren could be in the mix for a top-six role, though Marcus Johansson should also be in the mix. Zuccarello has played in fewer than 70 regular-season games in each of the previous two campaigns, but he still managed to exceed the 50-point threshold on both occasions.

Head coach John Hynes said Sunday that Zuccarello (back) doesn't yet have a timetable to return, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zuccarello has been dealing with a back injury since mid-September that was already expected to sideline him for the start of the regular season, and Hynes reiterated Sunday that the 38-year-old will be "out for a while." While it's not yet clear when Zuccarello will be able to make his season debut, Liam Ohgren is a candidate to handle an increased role for the Wild early in the year.

Zuccarello's previously undisclosed injury is related to his back, and he'll spend the next 4-5 days off the ice in an attempt to calm it down, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Bill Guerin previously suggested that Zuccarello probably won't be ready for the start of the season. Although he's 38 years old, Zuccarello is still more than capable of serving in a top-six capacity when healthy. He had 19 goals and 54 points across 69 regular-season outings last year. Liam Ohgren might start the season with a significant role with the Wild if Zuccarello isn't ready for Opening Night.