Wilderness Walk: On The Wild Side

When all the writers are on vacation, Wilderness Walk sleeps in.

We greet today with plenty of tidbits about the upcoming Stadium Series and alumni games in February at TCF Bank Stadium, and sprinkle in a couple updates about the big club regarding the upcoming season.  There have been few developments in the Patrick Kane news that broke yesterday, so we will continue our position of holding on speculation and not being part of pitchfork nation.  As Joe said in the comments yesterday, the only one we should be concerned about at this point is the victim.  We'll continue to deliver any news that becomes available.

62 days until the season starts.  Let's Walk.

Wild News

Wild notes: Lack of splashy offseason moves not a worry to Parise | Star Tribune
#PimpinAintParise

Wild readies for 'iconic' February outdoor game at TCF Bank Stadium - StarTribune.com
The Wild and Chicago Blackhawks face off Feb. 21 in Minnesota's first NHL outdoor game. The event comes with a weekend of festivities, including a Feb. 20 alumni game.

Rand: Outdoors or in, long rivalry with Blackhawks burns - StarTribune.com
Wild vs. Blackhawks is becoming a pretty good (albeit one-sided, so far) rivalry thanks to three consecutive playoff meetings. But North Stars vs. Blackhawks was the stuff of legends.

Minnesota Stadium Series game will serve as State of Hockey showcase | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: The state of Minnesota has the highest number of registered USA Hockey members at 55,450. Illinois had 30,553 per the 2014-15 numbers.

On Frozen Pond

Ranking Big Ten hockey's top 5 early exits in the 2015 offseason - Along the Boards
Along the Boards assesses the five most significant decisions to turn professional early among Big Ten hockey players in the summer of 2015.

Off The Trail

Dean Lombardi officially named GM of Team USA's World Cup squad | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: Dean Lombardi was officially named general manager of USA Hockey’s entry into the 2016 World Cup of Hockey on Thursday. John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor broke the news back in June.

Dean Lombardi officially named GM of Team USA's World Cup squad | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: Dean Lombardi was officially named general manager of USA Hockey’s entry into the 2016 World Cup of Hockey on Thursday. John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor broke the news back in June.

Blackhawks' Kane reportedly under investigation for sexual assault - Article - TSN
No charges filed. Still developing. Not much new from yesterday.

Pure Entertainment

Avalanche Parody: X Files Examine the Minnesota Wild
It's great that someone is so threatened by our team to write this.  Even her own commenters want her to stop.