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Wild lose Fontaine to lower-body injury

Chicago Blackhawks v Minnesota Wild - Game Six

ST PAUL, MN - MAY 13: Justin Fontaine #14 of the Minnesota Wild controls the puck against Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 13, 2014 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

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Minnesota has lost the services of forward Justin Fontaine for “a few weeks” with a lower-body ailment suspected to be a groin injury, per the Pioneer Press.

Fontaine, 26, is coming off a solid rookie campaign in which he scored 13 goals and 21 points in 66 games, chipping in with a goal and assist during Minnesota’s playoff run.

In July, the Wild rewarded Fontaine with a two-year, one-way deal worth $1 million per season -- but now, with him already ruled out for the season opener (and likely beyond that), a roster spot has opened up. Per Mike Russo of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, that leaves five skaters now battling for three roster positions: Jason Zucker, Michael Keranen, Stephane Veilleux, Cody Almond and Brett Sutter.