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Happy Fri-yay Wilderness!
For every other team in the league, Thursday was just another August day of nothing. For the Minnesota Wild, it was a day full of content. Sure, the Wild didn’t hire a new GM or sign an RFA, but they were the main feature for NHL.com’s 31 in 31 series, which always includes a couple fun reads. Kevin Fiala also made some minor news yesterday, as he has now publicly stated he is waiting to sign his new contract when the new GM takes over in Minnesota.
Fri-yay Fun Fact: The St. Louis Blues almost became the Saskatoon Blues in the early 80’s. In January of 1983, the Saskatoon-based Batoni-Hunter Enterprises (led by president and founder of the WHA Edmonton Oilers, Bill Hunter) put in an offer to purchase the St. Louis Blues away from Ralston Purina Company. Hunter promised to start construction on an 18,000 capacity arena that would open in time to host the Blues in Saskatoon for the 1983-1984 season. The deal was finalized. The Blues’ move to Saskatoon seemed inevitable. However, as reported in the New York Times, on May 18 the NHL Board of Governors rejected the sale of the Blues to Hunter’s group by a 15-3 vote. The league was unwilling to leave the St. Louis market and did not see the small Canadian city as a viable option.
Wild News
NHL.com’s 31 in 31 series has finally made way for the Minnesota Wild. Check out all the great content:
Our #31in31 series continues with an inside look at the @mnwildhttps://t.co/2RpKbDmRKf
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Question One: Who will be their general manager?:
Can Matt Dumba return to form? Who will be the next GM? Those are some of the questions facing the @mnwild this season according to @NHLdotcom https://t.co/wn8mYxu4Qf
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Let’s just say Devan Dubnyk might have something to do with one key statistic:
As part of our #31in31 analysis of the @mnwild,,here's a look at three key statistics for Minnesota this season from @NHLReese: https://t.co/kODyJY3edH
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Kevin Fiala and his agent Claude Lemieux (Yes, the former NHLer) are waiting to negotiate the forward’s new contract until the next general manager takes over in Minnesota:
Kevin Fiala's negotiations for a new contract with the Wild are in a holding pattern during their search for a new general manager. "I just have to see and wait," the RFA forward told @drosennhl during the NHL European Player Media Tour https://t.co/K7dV0MKIb7
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Would anyone in a Wild uniform be worth picking to help you win your league trophy?:
Dubnyk, Dumba remain valuable options at positions; Zuccarello can boost top six, power play@MNWild #FantasyHockey preview for 2019-20: https://t.co/VInYHFOgPI
— Pete Jensen (@NHLJensen) August 15, 2019
NHL.com’s Jessi Pierce ranked the Wild’s top five prospects:
Here are the top five prospects for the @mnwild according to @NHLdotcom: https://t.co/UMcB4q4bQr
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
The Hockey Writers ranked the Wild’s top ten prospects:
Wild’s Top Prospects Entering the 2019-20 Season https://t.co/fWc7dlxdgI #THW #MNWild #NHL pic.twitter.com/65CHNZdMnz
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) August 15, 2019
Skol Wild? Bruce Boudreau visited Vikings training camp and chatted with head coach Mike Zimmer:
Coach Boudreau popped down to #VikingsCamp to chat with Coach Zimmer...but it's safe to say #mnwild won't be incorporating air horns to practice.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) August 14, 2019
From @Vikings: https://t.co/en35KaIHmF pic.twitter.com/qYLO3fBpge
On Frozen Pond
Burnsville Minnesota native Greg May joins the Gophers as the program’s new director of hockey operations:
Former Augsburg player May joins Minnesota as new director of hockey operations https://t.co/7sk1JaQLOv
— USCHO.com (@USCHO) August 15, 2019
Off The Trail
What is the Minnesota Wild’s Cup window? How do they stack up against the other teams in the Central Division?
My STANLEY CUP WINDOWS series continues today.
— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) August 13, 2019
Part 2: The Central Division, which has some win-now teams, some long-term contenders and one badly smashed window.https://t.co/Nhx4dYkQxT pic.twitter.com/q2NoskBUu1
The Hockey Writers have you covered for the latest rumors:
NHL Rumors: Hall, Flames, Blues, Sharks, More https://t.co/FLjPqsuOyq #NJDevils #Flames #StLBlues #SJSharks #NHL
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) August 15, 2019
My prediction: San Jose Sharks vs Washington Capitals?:
The NHL hopes to announce preseason games in China for next season soon, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday https://t.co/kH1b7r148n
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Nylander talked to NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger about the upcoming year. He shares his thoughts on the Leafs and his personal goals for this season.
William Nylander said he is ready to become one of the elite players in the NHL this season. "I'm looking forward to this season to dominate," the Maple Leafs forward told @Zeisberger at the NHL European Player Media Tour https://t.co/z7RO63TaCi
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
Is Mikko Rantanen waiting for the first RFA domino to fall before resigning with the Colorado Avalanche?:
RFA forward Mikko Rantanen is expected to sign a contract with the Avalanche once training camp gets closer next month, general manager Joe Sakic said Thursday https://t.co/WOG402vRFJ
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 15, 2019
There are still some free agent names out there like Jake Gardiner, Derick Brassard, and do I dare say Jason Pominville, but do late summer free agents ever pan out?:
The big names are off the board, but don't sleep on late-summer signings. These five players made major impacts with their clubs after being signed late in the off-season, writes @THNJaredClinton:https://t.co/67BSUlWnCS
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) August 15, 2019
Most known for his days in the crease playing for the Vancouver Canucks, Eddie Lack decided to hang up the pads for a new opportunity:
Arizona State hires former NHLer Lack as Sun Devils’ new goaltending coach https://t.co/BDgOiCUrRC
— USCHO.com (@USCHO) August 15, 2019
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