Beyond the Wilderness: Holiday Weekend Edition

Wild 2009 draft review - Hockey's Future
The Minnesota Wild went into this year's NHL entry draft in Montreal with the 12th overall pick and a mandate to replenish the system with young talent.

Brodziak files for arbitration
Wild restricted free-agent center Kyle Brodziak filed for arbitration by Sunday's deadline. The Wild can continue to negotiate a contract with him until his hearing, which will be scheduled between July 20-Aug. 4.

Jim Souhan: Fletcher didn't read the rules for local GMs
The New Wild boss is making bold, quick signings. That's not how we do things around here.

Havlat already feeling at home
First, Martin Havlat received a phone call from now-former Wild star Marian Gaborik, who not only welcomed him to hockey-mad Minnesota but offered to sell Havlat his posh downtown Minneapolis condo.

Ex-Senators learn they will be reunited
Shane Hnidy has been so out of touch the past few days, he didn't even realize the Wild signed Martin Havlat on Wednesday. In 2000, Havlat and Hnidy broke into the NHL with the Ottawa Senators. Nine years later, they will be teammates on the Wild.

Tom Powers: Minnesota Wild's James Sheppard will flourish in new system - TwinCities.com
When he proclaimed the next Wild player to step up and have a huge year, I made sure to write it down. "James Sheppard," Thompson said emphatically, "is going to have a breakout season." Really? "Mark my words," he said, again reminding me of his correct calls on Burns and Koivu. "James Sheppard."

Minnesota Wild's Mike Ramsey is the last remaining member of original team - TwinCities.com
Todd Richards' staff looks an awful lot like Jacques Lemaire's. Richards, hired last month to succeed Lemaire as the Wild's head coach, retained assistants Mike Ramsey and Matt Shaw and goalie coach Bob Mason on Friday. That makes Ramsey, a Minnesota native, the only player or coach left from the team's inaugural season in 2000-01 — though that hadn't entered his mind.

Rangers, Wild might score big with new oft-dinged wings - NHL - CBSSports.com Hockey
The Rangers nab Marian Gaborik from the Wild, who sign Martin Havlat from the Blackhawks, who ink Marian Hossa. Two of those teams scored in the free-agent swap shop, Wes Goldstein says.

Minnesota Wild to begin its development camp on Tuesday
The Minnesota Wild will have 26 of its best young players at its development camp this week at the Xcel Energy Center.

Wild sign D Hdiny, await word from Saku Koivu | Sporting News
Meanwhile, the Star Tribune reports Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is waiting for Koivu to decide whether to accept their offer. Cast off after years as captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Koivu is seen as a potential second-line center for the Wild.