We're here, folks. Hockey is officially back. Tonight. Real, NHL level, 100% blood pumping hockey. The lockout can't touch you now. All that is left is how much you want to watch, and if you can stomach not doing so. That choice is yours, but you know where the rest of the Wilderness will be.

The first opponent of the year is the Colorado Avalanche. You know them well, and if you don't, you will soon enough.

For now, you get the first edition of a Wilderness Walk, Game Day Edition. It's really the same as any other, except we tell you where you might find some info on the enemy. Please to be enjoying.

Wild News

Mitchell, Wild's other early-summer signee, no longer an afterthought | StarTribune.com - Think he won't matter? Think again.

Wild season opener: Here at last | StarTribune.com - No. Really. Tonight.

Preview: Colorado at Wild | StarTribune.com - Russo previews it all.

Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund is ready to put his stamp on NHL career - TwinCities.com - He's really here.

Minnesota Wild: With Tom Gilbert ready, Matt Dumba likely to sit out opener - TwinCities.com - Dumba, also here.

Minnesota Wild: Mikko Koivu leads the way, and now he's got help - TwinCities.com - Oh, and some other guy.

Final Training Camp Practice; Probable Lineup | - In case you want to know.

Favorite Minnesota Hockey Memories | - Any thoughts?

Wild About Design: New Decals on Player Helmets - Look! Stickers!

Bouchard, Gilbert "good to go" in Saturday's season opener vs. Colorado | StarTribune.com - Yep. They will play.

Optimistic Wild loaded with talent, now 'just have to put it together' | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities – Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Wild - Another view.

Enemy News

Mile High Hockey - For Colorado Avalanche Fans - They don't like me there. They like Emilie, though. Tell them you know her.

Colorado Avalanche - The Denver Post - You would think this is a place for objective Avs coverage. Then you remember they employ Adrian Dater.

Tending the Fields

The Third Intermission: It's getting kind of warm in here: An update on the Toyota Center Lease - Are the Aeros moving? Where would they go?

The Third Intermission: Palmieri clears waivers and is returning to Houston; Stephane Veilleux and Jake Dowell coming with him - New guys, coming to Houston.

Palmieri, Veilleux, Dowell clear waivers; Becoming Wild information | StarTribune.com - Yep. More TV.

Laxidasical Meanderings

Dirty Dozen: Comparing the debuts of No. 1 draft picks, an own-goal in Colorado, and a slick hidden-ball trick in Philadelphia | IL Indoor - Good stuff.

Off the Trail

LAKings.com Presents 4 on 4 - Week 11 - Los Angeles Kings | News - Go read this. Good stuff. Especially the people who don't understand sarcasm.

Subscribe To St. Louis Game Time The Paper - St. Louis Game Time - Like the word fuck, do ya? The SB Nation leaders in fuck offer you a new way to get your fuck quotient.

Puck Daddy’s 2013 NHL Eastern Conference Staff Prognostications | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports - Yea. Predictions.

Puck Daddy’s 2013 NHL Western Conference Staff Prognostications | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports - Not a bad lot. Thinking Lambert threw up in his mouth picking the Wild to finish 2nd in the Northwest.

2013 Western Conference Preview | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com - Wild do well here, too.

2013 Eastern Conference Preview | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com - What the hell? Not even a mention of the Wild? Oh. Wait.

First Round Bust: Why We're Glad The NHL Lockout Is Over: Former Minnesota Defensemen Look Homeless - Look at that. Greg Zanon's beard is impressive. Too bad his game softened faster than a drunk 80-year-old.

The Team of 18,001: NHL 2013 Preview: Playoff Predictions - More predictions.