Wilderness Walk: NHL might allow fans at games, depending on city

That’s Wild

• After projected backup Alex Stalock suffered an upper-body injury that put him out indefinitely, the Minnesota Wild signed Andrew “The Hamburglar” Hammond to a one-year, two-way deal to solve some minor goaltending depth problems, even before training camp starts. [Hockey Wilderness]
• In case you missed it, Kirill Kaprizov cannot stop smiling and we never want him to stop. [Hockey Wilderness]

Off the trail...

• According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period — sigh — the NHL is going to allow fans inside the building during games, but only depending on the local regulations of that team. They can increase attendance and decrease attendance as the season goes on. Or, if you’re somewhere lawless like Florida right now, it’s open season.

• Speaking of COVID-19 related news, the NHL appears to be buying their vaccines privately, to ensure some stability when it becomes more widely available. While at first it appeared that they will try to jump the line ahead of frontline workers, they are going to be a little more patient than that. But still, will privately buy their supply for some reason. [Hockey Wilderness]
• San Jose Sharks legend Patrick Marleau made sure that all of his former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates knew what kind of dude they’re getting in Joe Thornton. [Sportsnet]
• The Chicago Blackhawks reconfigured their executives, adding the presidential title to GM Stan Bowman, among other moves around the front office. [Second City Hockey]