"Mikko Koivu practiced today with the Wild as it prepares for tomorrow night's game against Vancouver, but it's still not certain the Wild captain will play, three weeks after separating his left shoulder in a game at St. Louis on Jan. 14.

"It's getting better each and every day it's getting stronger. That's a good sign," Koivu said. "Being in practice and being involved physically and having contact, you get more comfortable each and every time it happens. It helps a lot conditioning-wise but more important timing-wise."

Jed Ortmeyer was placed on waivers so he can return to Houston, however, so it seems likely Koivu will return."