Wilderness Walk: FenTON of news

The big story for the Wild remains the hiring of Paul Fenton as the new general manager of the team, but around the league it is definitely the upcoming showdown between George McPhee's old and new teams. That's right, McPhee is/was the GM for both teams in the Final. Should provide some additional grist for the media mill alongside the first-year-to-Final and a guaranteed first time Cup winner storylines.

Wild News

Wild's Boudreau, Fenton prepare to build rapport - StarTribune.com
Getting familiar with the Wild's personnel is on new GM Paul Fenton's agenda as he transitions to the organization, and coach Bruce Boudreau is ready to help.

Creative roster building? Fenton's been there in Nashville - StarTribune.com
North Score: Paul Fenton said analytics will play a role in every move he makes. That's what he did in Nashville, which is now a Stanley Cup contender.

Fenton's strength as talent evaluator key to his GM hiring by Wild - StarTribune.com
The addition of Nashville staples such as goalie Pekka Rinne, captain Roman Josi and several others were part of Paul Fenton's legacy as assistant general manager with the Predators,

Souhan: Fenton seeks elusive formula of roster moves, puck luck - StarTribune.com
New Wild GM Paul Fenton is going to have to be creative and probably ruthless in remaking the roster of a team that has advanced to the conference finals just once.

Wild defenseman Ryan Suter still on crutches but optimistic about recovery
MN Wild blue liner Ryan Suter suffered a broken right ankle on an innocuous play along the boards during a March 31 contest against the Dallas Stars. He immediately had to be helped to the bench play and couldn’t put any weight on his right foot as he made his way to the locker room.

On Frozen Pond

Dean Blais Honored by USA Hockey :: University of Minnesota :: Official Athletic Site
The Official Athletic Site of the University of Minnesota - A native of International Falls, Minn., Blais was a four-year letter winner for the Maroon & Gold from 1970-1973 – recording 139 points (56 goals, 83 assists) in 124 career games.

Off the Trail

Capitals defeat Lightning in Game 7 to earn spot in Stanley Cup Final - Sportsnet.ca
Alex Ovechkin scored early and Andre Burakovsky added two second-period goals to help the Washington Capitals put a decade of playoff frustration behind them with a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final Wednesday night.

Golden Knights could cost sportsbooks big and alter NHL futures betting in the process | The Hockey News
The Golden Knights are four wins away from winning the Stanley Cup and costing Vegas sportsbooks mountains of money in the process. And this once-in-a-lifetime long shot might change NHL futures betting for the foreseeable future.

How to be an NHL scout: What to look for, what matters & what doesn't | The Hockey News
NHL talent evaluators consider a number of factors before deciding who they want to draft – and who they don’t.

Why a trip to the conference final is only the beginning for the Winnipeg Jets | The Hockey News
The Jets suffered the disappointment of falling short in the Western Conference final, but the current crop and the next wave of prospects have the future looking bright in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Jets Should Re-Sign Paul Stastny
The Winnipeg Jets can't throw around money left and right but after the last 20 games, they should throw some at Paul Stastny to keep him around.

The Psychological Reason Penguins Fans Should Be Rooting for Ovechkin
It might sound like a Phil Kessel-sized pill to swallow, but if Penguins fans want to see Lord Stanley's Mug back in the Steel City next year, they better hope for Ovi to win one of his own.

Whitecaps Free Agent Wish List for Summer of ’18
With the husband and wife duo of Robb and Shivaun Stauber now named as the team's new coaches, the Minnesota Whitecaps are ready to take on NWHL Free Agency by storm. Here is a look at some potential signings the team could make after free agency opens on Jun. 1st, 2018.