Hockey Wilderness: Old Man Time

With the bittersweet departure of Jaromir Jagr from the NHL (at least for now), Matt Cullen has become the answer to the hockey trivia question: who is the oldest active player in the NHL? He seems to be taking his newfound status in stride based on the article posted below.

Also on the Walk today are a couple of articles looking at the significance of mental health in the NHL. It’s easy to forget because for fans, the NHL is a pastime. It’s a way to relax after a day at work and something to inspire conversations with friends about roster moves and highlight reel plays. The most stressful part of hockey for fans is probably trying to set a fantasy hockey lineup, at least until the playoffs roll around. For the players, coaches, and front office staff, this is their livelihood. Players especially are facing the knowledge that they have to be tip top both physically and mentally or they will fall to the wayside very quickly. Personally, I never cared for Todd Bertuzzi. He lost his temper and ended Steve Moore’s career with a dangerous and illegal hit in 2004. But that dislike from fans like me helped create an environment incredibly hostile for Bertuzzi to seek help, and the professional sports world is already a difficult place to find support for mental health. It left him in a pretty dark and lonely place. Thankfully, it sounds like, with help, he’s found his way out of it. Take a look at those articles below. They’re about important stuff.

Anyhow, Matt Cullen is old. Hockey news abounds. Here’s some music.

Wild News

Wild's Matt Cullen now NHL's oldest player. Thanks, Jaromir Jagr.
NHL legend Jaromir Jagr, 45, was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames on Sunday, and signed a deal to play for a team he owns in his native Czech Republic on Wednesday. And just like that, the MN Wild's Matt Cullen, 41, became the oldest player in the league.

On Frozen Pond

Big Ten Conference Men's Ice Hockey :: Official Athletic Site
The official athletic site of the Big Ten Conference, partner of CBS Sports Digital. The most comprehensive sports coverage of B1G on the web.

College women's hockey: UMD ties Huskies, wins shootout | Duluth News Tribune

Second Thoughts: A Look at the Hobey Hopefuls : College Hockey News
Inside the numbers to get a read on the potential Top 10.

Off the Trail

31 Thoughts: How NHL could give Jaromir Jagr a proper send-off - Sportsnet.ca
Circumstances conspired against a proper send-off for Jaromir Jagr, but there has to be a way to get it done. That and more in the latest 31 Thoughts.

Top 20 rental players who could be traded by 2018 NHL trade deadline - Sportsnet.ca
There are all kinds of players that could be available in the lead up to the 2018 NHL trade deadline. For this article, we're focusing on the rental players who will be UFAs as the end of the season.

10 trade candidates to watch as the 2018 deadline approaches | The Hockey News
The deadline shapes up to be an unpredictable one, with more non-rental chips in play than in most years.

Power Rankings: VGK atop | The Hockey News
Let’s keep rolling with the Vegas Golden Knights, who skated into February with the best points percentage in the NHL. Once again, they're at the top of THN.com’s weekly Power Rankings.

Fisher un-retiring to re-join Predators - Article - TSN

Todd Bertuzzi opens up about his mental breakdown and getting help - Sportsnet.ca
Bertuzzi on mental health: “With opioids and depression, the more I am around a lot of the older players, it seems like it’s a common occurrence in our business… It’s up to us to help them out.”

Mike Babcock on importance of mental health awareness & removing the stigma - Sportsnet.ca
Mike Babcock sits down with Kyle Bukauskas on #BellLetsTalk day to talk about the importance of generating awareness for mental health and how he has used his voice to speak up on the issue.