Minnesota Wild Fans will likely not see one of their top prospects on an NHL surface this year.
C Alexander Khovanov, who was taken by the Wild in the 3rd round of the 2018 draft and signed a three-year entry level contract this March, has just had a benign tumor removed from his leg. His recovery process sets off an avalanche of consequences, as he will miss all of training camp and, because he is only 19, will be unable to start the season with the Wild's AHL affiliate. He will have to go back all the way to his QMJHL team, the Moncton Wildcats.
Khovanov, ranked as the Wild's #3 prospect by The Athetic, has had somewhat of a hard luck time with his health. In the 2017-18 campaign, he missed half the season after contracting Hepatitis A. The limited time spent on ice caused him to slip all the way into the 3rd round. In the next season, Khovanov put up 74 points in 64 games for Moncton, adding 10 points in 10 games in the playoffs. At 5'11" and 198 lbs, Khovanov's play-making abilities had The Athletic rate him as a legit NHL prospect.
