Wilderness Walk: Stanley Cup Decided? Edition

The question now, Wilderness, is: did the Western Conference Finals decide the cup, and are the finals now just for show? The answer should be obvious. It doesn't matter how dominant a team is: anything can happen in the playoffs. The odds are stacked against the New York Rangers, but they could do it. Kings v Rangers.... set your clocks.

In the world of Minnesota Wild news, Yeo has an extension, and things are trending towards the draft.

Wild News:

Russo's Rants: Wild Do Not Extend Gunnarson- Well, Gunnarson is not a Wild. He could be back, though.

Star Tribune: Wild Sign Mike Yeo to Multiyear Deal- Yeolo? Not so much. Yeo returns for 3 more years.

Pioneer Press: Wild Sign Yeo to 3-Year Contract

Minnesota Hockey Mag: The Wild should NOT Sign Vanek- Schwartz's take, accurately summarizing the concerns with Vanek.

Team of 18,001: Season in Review: Stephane Veilleux- Giles' take on Veilleux's season.

Team of 18,001: Season in Review: Keith Ballard- Giles' take on Ballard's season.

In the Hunt (Playoff News)

Puck Daddy: LA Kings Win Game 7 in OT- It was a game 7 much like the Wild's in the first round.... the Kings didn't lead till their OT winner.

NHL: Kings Win Game 7, Advance to Finals in OT

Pro Hockey Talk: Now and Then: The Los Angeles Kings- Nice article comparing the Championship Kings from 2012 to the 2014 iteration.

Jewels From the Crown: Game 7 Recap: We Won't Go Quietly- Methinks the Kings and their fanbase are happy.

Pro Hockey Talk: Cam Talbot Day-To-Day- An undisclosed injury has sidelined Cam Talbot.

Second City Hockey: Hawks Can't Keep Kings Down, Lose in OT- The Hawks are gone... Eulogy to follow soon (I hope)

Pro Hockey Talk: A Decade Later, St. Louis, Richards Return to Cup Final- Feel-good piece about Richards and St. Louis

In the Hole (Gopher News):

SBN College Hockey: Scott Reedy Commits to Minnesota- We have another Gopher.

SBN College Hockey: Mike Reilly Will Return for Senior Season- Mike Reilly will be back to play defense for another year for the Minnesota Gophers.

Tending the Fields:

Hockeys Future: MN Wild Prospects Made Big Impact in NHL and Lower Level Playoffs- Good things are coming for the Minnesota Wild.

On Tap (Draft News):

The Hockey Writers: The Next Ones- This is not a single story, but it is the spot where The Hockey Writers will post all of their prospect profiles. GREAT Source of info on some folks.

SBN College Hockey: Sonny Milano Dazzles in Draft Combine- Could he be the next member of the Minnesota Wild?

Off the Trail:

Puck Daddy: Sad Youppi Tours Montreal in a Rangers Jersey- Hilarious hijinks from the Habs Mascot.

Star Tribune: Blue Jackets Extend Richards- Todd Richards will return to Columbus next year.

Puck Daddy: The Strange Story of Sather's Rangers- Interesting article about Glen Sather and the Rangers. Worth a read.

CBC: When Does a Player Peak?- An older article, but a great read from the CBC, and very relevant considering VANEK WATCH 2014