This guy is the Wild's quiet MVP.

With only one game left in the regular season, everyone in Minnesota is looking ahead to the playoffs. A key component to their post-season success will be the return of defenseman Jared Spurgeon, according to the Wild’s general manager Chuck Fletcher.

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune quotes Fletcher as saying he believes that the 27-year-old Spurgeon is one of the most underrated players in the league: “I don’t think he gets anywhere near the recognition on a nation level that he deserves. He’s quietly having an outstanding season, one of the best seasons of any defensemen in the National Hockey League”.

Fletcher even went on to compare Spurgeon with alternate-captain Ryan Sutter, “he’s right up then with Ryan in terms of being able to take a big load of minutes”.

That comparison is accurate as the only player with more ice time this season than Spurgeon is Sutter. Sutter has 9 goals and 30 assist in 81 games and a plus/minus of plus-35.  Spurgeon has 11 goals and 18 assists in 77 games, and has a plus/minus of plus-11.

He’s a key part of the Wild’s defensive corps, and despite being sidelined with a lower body injury since April 5^th, Spurgeon is expected to return for the beginning of the playoffs. Head coach Boudreau confirmed that Spurgeon was game ready, but he want to rest him for the post-season.