Wilderness Walk: Prospect Dameon Hunt released from Canada’s World Junior camp

That’s Wild

• Minnesota Wild 2020 third-rounder and defenseman prospect Daemon Hunt has been released from Team Canada’s World Juniors camp after being deemed unfit to play.

Hunt, 18, came into camp as a long shot to make the team. The Moose Jaw Warriors blueliner is coming off a major year plagued with injury, but has most recently laced up for the MJHL’s Virden Oil Capitals to resume playing while the WHL is in its prolonged offseason.

Two other Wild prospects remain in Team Canada’s camp, forward Adam Beckman — last year’s WHL leading scorer and Player of the Year — and defenseman Ryan O’Rourke. While Beckman appears to be more of a concrete option on the wing because of his age and experience, O’Rourke might have a legit shot if some Canadian backs don’t play up to potential.

Colorado Avalanche top prospect Bowen Byram, Dallas Stars blueliner Thomas Harley and Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Jamie Drysdale are just some of the top competition that the Wild prospect faces on the depth chart.

• In a report from TSN’s Rick Westhead, Wild GM Bill Guerin allegedly tried to hush a sexual assault on an AHL assistant coach’s wife by the head coach while with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Russo lays out the odds on who will be the Wild captain before camp opens in the next month or so. [The Athletic]

Off the trail...

• After several conversations the past few weeks, the NHL and NHLPA are finalizing an agreement on what the 2020-21 season is going to look like. One NHL executive believes that it will begin on Jan. 13 and consist of 56 games. Ouuuuu. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Frank Seravelli of TSN reported more of what was discussed during Tuesday’s NHLPA Executive Board meeting, including what rosters and the minor-league set up could look like during next season.

• For a deeper look into how the NHL plans on starting their 2020-21 season, The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun gives you the details. [The Athletic]
• The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers lead the way when it comes to “Reverse Retro” jersey sales. [ProHockeyTalk]
• The Florida Panthers are thinking out of the box when it comes to their goaltending. Instead of just one single coach in charge of the position, the team has created a “goaltending excellence department” to oversee the netminders at every level. The legendary Roberto Luongo and highly-reputable goaltending coach Francois Allaire are a part of the group. [ProHockeyTalk]