In his first full season as the Wild head coach, John Hynes has emphasized an even keel, never wanting his team to get too high after wins or too low after losses. So, with star forward Kirill Kaprizov and captain Jared Spurgeon skating full practices with the team Wednesday at TRIA Rink, Hynes was still talking about being “cautiously optimistic” that the pair would be available for Thursday night’s home game with Utah. Even if it looks very much as if their first appearances of the New Year will come Thursday against Utah at Xcel Energy Center. “I think it’s leaning towards that they are going to be in the lineup,” Hynes said, acknowledging that their returns would require sending a player to Iowa. “But before we announce that and solidify that, we do have some discussions about. If that does happen, then there’s going to have to be a roster move.” Roughly an hour after Hynes said that, the team announced that defenseman David Jiricek was being sent back to the AHL club in Des Moines, yet another indication that there will be significant additions to the game night lineup on Thursday. Since Kaprizov — still the team leader in goals, assists and points despite missing the last 13 games — last played in a home win over Chicago on Dec. 23, the Wild have gone a respectable 7-5-0 and remain in the thick of the Central Division race. Hynes said there has been no sense of rushing either player back into the lineup, adding there is an emotional lift that comes from having them back in practice. “I think it certainly helps when you have guys obviously coming back and being part of the practice,” he said. “Not only is the team excited, but I also think the players that are coming back from injury (are) glad to be around the guys and the team and being at practice. … Each side fuels each other.” Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who knows the road back from injury after missing 14 games himself this season at various times, said seeing Nos. 97 and 46 back on the rink elicited smiles all around. “Its exciting. Those two are important players for us, so it’s fun to have them back out there,” he said. “(Kaprizov) is itching to get back. It’s not fun to sit out. You just try to recover, take care of your body and just do everything you can to get back to playing.” Team captain Spurgeon has been missing since New Years’ Eve because of a lower body injury. Jiricek, who was acquired in an early December trade with Columbus, logged six games with a goal and an assist in his first Wild call-up. “David’s come in and I think he’s really shown some of his very good attributes,” Hynes said with a nod to Jiricek’s imposing 6-foot-3 frame. “You can’t teach size. I think he’s got a competitive nature to his game, his ability to move the puck and see plays and execute. I think his shot has been a factor, and I think you’ve seen at times where he’s got great offensive instincts and has the ability to make plays.” In his first stint with Iowa, Jiricek had two assists in 11 games. Related Articles Minnesota Wild | Renewed defensive emphasis powers Wild bounce-back in Colorado Minnesota Wild | Afternoon is mostly a delight for Wild Minnesota Wild | No late letdown this time, as Wild pull away from Avalanche in the third Minnesota Wild | In Nashville, hero to villain to hero again for Wild’s Yakov Trenin Minnesota Wild | Another early lead fades in Nashville as Wild lose third in a row