Wild’s Marcus Johansson placed on injured reserve with apparent concussion

The Minnesota Wild added center Marcus Johansson to the injured reserve Thursday per The Athletic’s Michael Russo, who adds that Johansson is believed to have suffered a concussion.

Facing the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, Johansson left late in the second period and did not return after being hit by Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain was not penalized on the play, nor did he face supplemental discipline.

Skating in his third season with the Wild, the 34-year-old Swedish-born forward has made 44 appearances in which he has collected five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. Johansson wrapped up last season with 30 points in 78 games.

Originally chosen 24th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2009 NHL Draft, Johansson’s career has totaled 955 games counting two separate stints with both the Wild and Capitals in addition to stops with the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Seattle Kraken. In all, Johansson has recorded 179 goals and 320 assists for 499 career points. Johansson has also tallied 45 points through 109 postseason appearances.

Per PuckPedia, Johansson is in the final year of a two-year pact that carries a $2-million annual average value. Johansson is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July.

With Johansson sidelined, he joins a crowded injured reserve in Minnesota that already counts star left winger Kirill Kaprizov in addition to two of the Wild’s top defensemen in Brock Faber and captain Jared Spurgeon. Earlier Thursday, the Wild announced that center Jakub Lauko has been activated from the injured reserve after missing the past 15 games with a lower-body injury.

Following Wednesday’s loss to the Oilers, the Wild sit 27-14-4 on the season and five points back of the Winnipeg Jets for top spot in the Central Division. Minnesota will look to snap its two-game losing skid when the squad returns to the ice Saturday to face off against the Nashville Predators.