Full practice for Jared Spurgeon doesn’t mean he’ll play Tuesday

PITTSBURGH — Jared Spurgeon, who has missed the Wild’s past six games because of a lower body injury, went through an entire practice with the team on Monday, a good sign for the team captain if not a guarantee that he will play on Tuesday against the Penguins.

“It was nice that he got through the whole practice, and it was a real practice with some contact and things like that, so that was good,” head coach John Hynes said.

But even though Spurgeon practiced in his regular role, Hynes stopped well short of putting him in Tuesday’s lineup. The defenseman was scheduled to be seen by doctors and trainers in the afternoon.

Spurgeon, 34, has been out because of a setback related to hip and back surgeries that ended his season after just 16 games in 2023-24. He went through all of training camp, but didn’t play in a preseason game until the last two of six total.

“He went through the whole practice and he looked good, so I think those are all positive signs,” Hynes said. “But as I think we all know it’s, ‘Are you ready for a full game? Are you going to make it through a full game?’ There’s always the things that have to be talked about before you make the decision that he’s in.”

Hartman home

Forward Ryan Hartman was in Minnesota on Monday after being sent home from this five-game road trip because of illness. He has missed the past three games because of an upper body injury.

Hynes said the injury will not require a medical procedure.

“He’s skating back home and all things point to him moving in the right direction,” the coach said.