Wilderness Walk: Final Tuneup Edition

Minnesota Wild fans will get a second look at Jack Eichel and a second chance to compete against the heralded rookie this preseason.  Eichel will have a few more friends with him this time as both teams will feature their opening day lineups, or as close to that as possible.  That means we will get a look at Ryan O'Reilly in a Sabres uniform and the Sabres will get their first look at Devan Dubnyk. We will be closely following the lineup as we track the health of Jason Zucker and Jordan Schroeder while also looking at where Tyler Graovac will fit in the lineup and how that might affect Charlie Coyle.  But when it's all said and done, the very next game will actually count as the season gets underway.

Check out this week's podcast as we close out a few preseason items and get a couple takes on the upcoming season:

Next week, we will do our full season preview, so keep your eyes open for the upcoming edition as well.

We're down to 8 sleeps until opening night, and we'll keep serving up everything you need to get ready.  The final preseason game marks the beginning of the final countdown, so what else could today's music be?  We Walk.

Wild News

Wild opening lineup becoming clearer; Haula injured - StarTribune.com
The Wild's time in Duluth has come to an end.

Wild report: Bonding takes brief back seat - TwinCities.com
The Wild took time out from a three-day team bonding trip to Duluth on Tuesday for an hour of practice at Amsoil Arena.

What We Have (And Have Not) Learned - 9/29/15 - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
We have learned that this Wild team is deep.

Wld Triptych: Granlund, Zucker, Haula - Minnesota Wild - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
This season, Wild fans are looking to three young players to take a step forward in their career.

Rookie defenseman Reilly trying to fit in with Wild - StarTribune.com
The 22-year-old former Gopher played his best preseason game Sunday against Winnipeg and showed coach Mike Yeo and the organization many of the tools in his arsenal.

For Wild's Nino Niederreiter, right wing becoming a thrill - TwinCities.com
Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter wasn't nervous about flying on top of a plane until the seatbelt clicked and the engines roared.

Off The Trail

More questions than answers in NHL expansion saga - Sportsnet.ca
After a day of meetings in Manhattan, the NHL isn't revealing whether it is any closer to making a decision regarding its expansion plans.

Bettman: NHL will take time on expansion process - Article - TSN
Of course it will. And take money, too.

Gotta Hear It: Hanson bros pump up Penguins pre-game - Sportsnet.ca
This is very near and dear to my heart

NHL odds: Sidney Crosby favored for Hart Trophy, McDavid for Calder - CBSSports.com
Sidney Crosby is favored to win the league's MVP award and scoring title, while oddsmakers seem to love Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid and not just for the Calder Trophy.

Islanders debut shrill goal horn to rather frosty reception - CBSSports.com
The Islanders debuted their new goal horn Monday night and it's not being very well received.