Wilderness Walk 9-22-2013: 11 Days Edition

It has definitely started to feel a lot closer to hockey weather outside lately. September is inching to a close and the NHL regular season is fast approaching. I feel like I've been writing that forever now, and perhaps I have but it will all be over very soon Wilderness.

Your Minnesota Wild welcomed a new divisional rival to the Excel Energy Center last night in the Winnipeg Jets. As the bird flies this is our closest NHL city and they must be tickled pink to be out of the Southeast Division and back where they belong, playing the likes of Chicago, St. Louis and Minnesota again.

It would not be a happy return however as the Jets were let down after an impressive comeback, losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Wild. The lone shootout goal was provided by Jason Pominville, who went with a more traditional shot instead of kicking his stick with his attempt.

Enjoy your Sunday folks, the last full week of September is here as we walk towards October and the start of a new season.

Wild News

Wild wins in a shootout; roster decisions coming | Star Tribune
With such heavy competition up front in training camp, Wild fans are curious as to which forwards make the team in about a week's time.

Winnipeg Jets visit the X tonight; My famous Rochester story | Russo's Rants | StarTribune.com
A little pre-game blurb from Russo here, but that's not the good part. The Rochester story however is pretty good.

Charlie Coyle shows comfort in move to center
Charlie Coyle looks comfortable in his return to center for the Minnesota Wild.

New rivalry kindled as Winnipeg Jets and fans visit Xcel Energy Center - 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
Are you getting excited for the new divisions yet?

Coyle, Granlund continue to push as Wild defeats Winnipeg | Russo's Rants | StarTribune.com
Entertaining preseason tilt at the X tonight. The Wild jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then gave up three goals in the middle frame to the Winnipeg Jets before recovering with Ryan Suter’s third-period tying goal and Jason Pominville’s shootout winner to improve to 2-1 this preseason.

Nino Niederreiter: What Should Minnesota Wild Expect In 2013-14?
Niederreiter is a skilled player. His skill set is so skilled it has the skill to impose its skill upon other skill sets. Skills ...

Tending the Fields

Iowa Wild Training Camp Set to Begin September 23rd - Gone Puck Wild
Its time for the first round of cuts. Will your favorite bubble player survive the mayhem?

Meet the Minnesota Wild--'13 Draft Class Filled w/ Long-Term Projects
With seven selections in rounds two through seven, Minnesota would select four defensemen, a right-winger, a center and a goaltender from five different North American Junior/Major-Junior leagues.

Kleinendorst a perfect fit as coach for AHL Iowa Wild | Star Tribune
New Iowa Wild coach talks about growing up in Minnesota and his life around hockey.

Off the Trail

Washington Capitals Winter Classic: Bring it to Baltimore’s Camden Yards - Yahoo Sports
At just a pinch under 40 miles north of Washington D.C. is Baltimore, Maryland. Home to Camden Yards which has to be in just about everyone's top 10 list of MLB ballparks.

Penguins’ Vokoun has blood clot dissolved | ProHockeyTalk
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun will be out of the lineup, although there is no timetable on how long.

Paul Ranger’s kick-stick shot in shootout is hilarious to everyone but Sabres goalie (Video) - Yahoo Sports
I wish this would have gone in.

Panthers release veteran defenseman Clark from PTO | ProHockeyTalk
1 former Wild defenseman is out in Florida. Tom Gilbert's still in the mix for the Panthers though.

Coyotes release Latendresse from PTO | ProHockeyTalk
Lats is looking for a home, any takers?

On the Pitch

Gameday preview: Edmonton at Minnesota United FC | Star Tribune
A brief blurb about today's game. Do yourself a favor, get your mind off hockey for a few hours and support your local soccer team. They are playing at the National Sports Center in Blaine, if you can't make it the game will be streaming on their website.