Wild center Sheppard fractures left kneecap in off-ice accident; no timetable for return

Minnesota Wild center James Sheppard has a fractured left kneecap and there is no timetable for his return.

The team disclosed the injury Tuesday. It said Sheppard was hurt in an off-ice accident on Saturday night in Vail, Colo., but did not say what happened.

The timing couldn't be much worse for Sheppard, a former first-round draft pick who has been slow to develop in the Wild organization. The team signed veteran center Matt Cullen this offseason to provide some depth at the position.