Wilderness Walk: NHL, NHLPA still undecided on some details heading into season

That’s Wild

• Kirill Kaprizov is here. In Minnesota, he has joined some new teammates and just cannot help but flash his smile all over the ice and into our hearts. [Hockey Wilderness]
• In case you haven’t read it by now, this is a must-read by Michael Russo. Telling the story of former Wild player and NHL All-Star Mark Parrish and how his friends saved his life. [The Athletic]

Off the trail...

• According to the team of insiders over at TSN, the NHL and NHLPA are still undecided on some significant details under a month before their hopeful start date. Whether it’s the roster size at the NHL level, the potential of a taxi squad, whether or not waivers will be required to move between the NHL and AHL in case of a positive case; there are still many unknowns as we count down the weeks until we’re disappointed that hockey is still not back in the new year. [TSN]
• After spending his entire North American career with the San Jose Sharks, forward Melker Karlsson is heading to Sweden to play for Skelleftea AIK for the remainder of their season. [Sportsnet]
• In a media release on Tuesday, the Western Hockey League said that due to the continuation of COVID-19 outbreaks throughout Western Canada, the league cannot rightfully start their season on Jan. 8. They have not announced a new start date, but have instead simply delayed it. [WHL]
• The Arizona Coyotes have officially announced two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman has joined their coaching staff as an assistant. He previously ran the bench for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. [Five For Howling]
• Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and his daughter Emmy are working on their celly game.