Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - News - December 18, 2025 | FOX Sports

Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets Set to Battle Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild 💥 | Rink Report

1 hour ago

Ben Jones - On waivers Jones was put on waivers by Minnesota on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact Jones has no points, 15 shots and 47 hits in 19 appearances with the Wild this season. Normally, players put on waivers are reassigned to the minors if they go unclaimed, but that won't immediately happen in this case. Jones is still expected to remain with the team and play Thursday in Columbus, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. However, Jones clearing waivers gives the Wild the flexibility to send him to the minors later should they need to free a roster spot. Minnesota currently has Jonas Brodin (lower body), Vinnie Hinostroza (lower body), Daemon Hunt (undisclosed), Jake Middleton (upper body) and Mats Zuccarello (upper body) all on injured reserve.

2 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

TIME TO TAME THE WILD 😤 Brendan Smith and Head Coach Dean Evason | Pregame Media

4 hours ago

Jesper Wallstedt - Starting in Columbus Wallstedt will serve as the starting netminder for Thursday's road game against Columbus, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Wallstedt has been effective this season, but he's started just once in the Wild's last five games. He'll return to the crease Thursday and is in the midst of a strong run in which he's gone 8-1-0 with a 1.43 GAA and .957 save percentage over his last nine starts.

4 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

David Spacek - Elevated from minors Spacek was promoted from AHL Iowa on Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Impact Spacek's call-up comes as Daemon Hunt (undisclosed) was designated for injured reserve in a corresponding move. If the 22-year-old Spacek does get into a game for the Wild, it will mark his NHL debut after having spent the last three years playing in the minors. This year, the Columbus native has racked up 11 helpers in 26 minor-league tilts for Iowa.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Brendan Gaunce - Won't play Thursday Gaunce won't play in Thursday's game against the Wild due to personal reasons, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Gaunce and his wife are expecting the birth of their child soon, so he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Zach Aston-Reese will suit up for the Blue Jackets against Minnesota, while Gaunce's next opportunity to play will be Saturday in Anaheim.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jet Greaves - In goal Thursday Greaves will get the starting nod at home versus the Wild on Thursday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Greaves will be making his sixth straight appearance in the crease, having gone 1-4-0 with a 2.57 GAA in his last five outings. At this point, the Jackets seem to have fully committed to giving the 24-year-old Greaves the bulk of the starts, even though he has struggled to pick up wins.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE