A depleted Wild roster could soon receive the ultimate shot in the arm — but maybe not as soon as possible.

Minnesota placed star forward Kirill Kaprizov on long-term injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 23. He is eligible to return to the lineup as early as Saturday’s tilt in Nashville. Though that soon of a return appears is far from a guarantee. The procedural move allows Minnesota to go over the salary cap and prevents the Wild from having to play down a man.

Kaprizov tallied 50 points (23 goals and 27 assists) in 34 games this season before a lower body injury sidelined him for the past three weeks.

The Wild are 6-4 since losing their top scorer, including losses in three of their past four games.

Minnesota also recalled forwards Brendan Gaunce and Liam Ohgren from Iowa, while placing forward Marcus Johansson on injured reserve due to his concussion suffered in Wednesday’s loss to Edmonton when he was elbowed by Oilers star Connor McDavid.