![Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman listen as former Vikings coach Bud Grant gave a speech during a ceremony Monday where a street was dedicated in his honor near the new Vikings stadium December 1, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] Jerry Holt Jerry.holt@startrib](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lPb1v7xXfyEv30Xd21vKyxWeSv0=/0x0:3600x2521/2420x1613/filters:focal(2538x1445:3114x2021):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67653020/1156779519.jpg.0.jpg)
That’s Wild
- Ever since being acquired by the Minnesota Wild, center Nick Bonino has been heralded as an established addition to this team that is inching towards youth. Get the deep dive into his game and what he can bring to this team. [Hockey Wilderness]
- To jumpstart this dead zone of the offseason, The Athletic’s Michael Russo has a juicy mailbag, overflowing with the latest on Marco Rossi, Matt Dumba, and the goalie situation. [The Athletic]
- Lastly, long-time Star Tribune reporter Sid Hartman passed away at the age of 100. A Minnesota sports legend that was the GM of the dynasty Minneapolis Lakers in his early career and the “radio and print voice of Minnesota sports” for the last several decades of his life.
Sid was a force right up until the end. Got word one night last week that he'd landed the big interview, previewing the Gophers/Michigan game, and so we re-arranged coverage plans. I always thought he'd slow down. He never ever did. RIP, Sid. https://t.co/AB3PrK5bZU
— JoeChristensen (@JoeCStrib) October 18, 2020
Off the trail...
- All of us need advice from someone that has been there before, including Hall of Fame-bound forwards. New Toronto Maple Leafs center Joe Thornton called up football legend Joe Montana prior to signing with his new club. Montana famously finished his legendary career with the Kansas City Chiefs, after winning four rings with the San Francisco 49ers.
Joe Thornton says a conversation with Joe Montana helped make the decision to leave San Jose for Toronto easier.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 18, 2020
- After locking up defenseman Cody Ceci to a one-year deal — yikes — Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford mentioned that Kasperi Kapanen will get a shot on a line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel to start our next season, after acquiring him from Toronto earlier this offseason. Let’s see if that pans out. [NHL]
- The Boston Bruins lost Torey Krug to free agency and is still uncertain if captain Zdeno Chara will be returning next season, but at least they signed defenseman and RFA, Matt Grzelcyk to a four-year deal. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]