Wilderness Walk: 5-18-2013

Good day, Wilderness! As boring as the offseason can be, the Walk still must go on. It's going to be a relatively short one, and most of it will be off the beaten path. Have your hiking boots on? Good. Now, let's take a Walk.

Wild News

Wild have options in net, but even more questions - FOX Sports North - Will this mean that the Wild finally trade Backstrom? We'll just have to wait and see what happens later in this offseason.

Minnesota Wild's Xcel Energy Center Named Best Arena Experience in NHL - Gone Puck Wild - Yeah buddy! While the X has been the only arena that I've gone to (so far) for watching hockey, it sure is something being there. To the energy that goes through the building when a goal is scored (plus the goal horn that sounds awesome in person), to the singing of the Wild anthem, there's a lot of things to love about the Xcel Energy Center.

Jason Zucker Has Earned Bigger Role With Minnesota Wild For 2013-14 - Rant Sports - Here's some more perspective about the Wild's best rookie one of the Wild's best rookies this season.

Off the Trail

Crosby leads Penguins to NHL playoff win | SBS World News - Go Penguins!

Sharks critical of NHL for suspension of Torres | Big News Network - I would have to agree. Here's what GM Doug Wilson had to say about Torres' hit, and I quote: "Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate. He kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding -- not skating or charging."

Red Wings need to create goals, not havoc | Canada.com - Yeah they do. This is what they will need to do if they want to have a shot at taking down the big bad Blackhawks.

2013 NHL Draft Spotlight: The Masked Men - The Hockey Writers - Even though the NHL's draft is still a little over a month away, mock drafts are already being created by many.

NHL Playoffs: Grades for Night 18 - CBSSports.com - Here's a look at some grades of some key players in the playoffs.