Wilderness Walk: Marat Khusnutdinov and Pavel Novak played hockey

That’s Wild

• In the final night of preliminary games, Minnesota Wild prospect Marat Khusnutdinov suited up for Russia on the top line for the 2021 World Juniors. Although they lost 1-0 against tournament favorites Canada, he still made a couple not so high highlights.

Although a lot was expected from the 18-year-old centering between Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov and Vancouver Canucks top prospect Vasili Podkolzin, he didn’t make anything happen really in this pre-tournament game. He is fun to watch though.

• One other Wild prospect was in action last night, as Czech Republic winger Pavel Novak was able to demonstrate a little bit more production than his Russian peer.

Not the most beautiful goal imaginable, but it was still a goal to open up the game.

• In the same Edmonton bubble, two other prospects played some preliminary matches and was able to shine above their teammates. Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy are going to be so exciting for such a long time. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Wild (and the rest of the NHL) announced their entire regular season schedule yesterday. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Athletic’s Michael Russo gives us all the details on how Kirill Kaprizov is doing off the ice with his teammates. Visits to Ryan Suter’s house that includes playing some hockey with his kids, a lot of trips to Minnesotan staple Kramarczuk’s, and more. [The Athletic]

Off the trail...

• The Buffalo Sabres inked a neat little one-year deal with RFA Casey Mittelstadt after his disappointing start to his professional career. [Die By The Blade]
• Pierre Lebrun sits down with NHLPA executive director Don Fehr. [The Athletic]
• The Canadian teams are still not sure whether they can play games in their home arena and are waiting for government approval. There might be a bubble to start the season, or some other more secure concept.

• After the previous announcement that Nikita Kucherov will be out with a long-term injury, it has been revealed to us that he will undergo surgery and miss the entire 2020-21 regular season. [Raw Charge]