The Minnesota Wild expect star winger Kirill Kaprizov and top center Joel Eriksson Ek to return before the end of the regular season, general manager Bill Guerin told reporters before Sunday's game against the Boston Bruins at the X in St. Paul, Minn.

The Wild have to weigh Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek's injury status before taking any big swings at the trade deadline.

Minnesota Wild first-line center Joel Eriksson Ek has been placed on injured reserve on with a lower-body injury.

Eriksson Ek, 28, has scored nine goals and 24 points in 42 games. He has missed 15 games this season due to four previous injuries.