Wilderness Walk: Major Awards

The Minnesota Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche to start the pre-season. Colorado's return to something resembling relevance last season will hopefully see this rivalry get back to being one of interest to fans too. Of course, that'll only happen of the Avs can keep improving their game and the Wild under GM Paul Fenton manage to invigorate their own increasingly stagnant performance.

Wild News

Wild open season against Avalanche, host Golden Knights two days later
While the full NHL schedule is set to be released later this week, the Wild learned on Wednesday that they will open the season on the road against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 4 before hosting the Vegas Golden Knights in their home opener on Oct. 6.

Projecting the Wild's first-round draft pick - StarTribune.com
The Wild's late-first round pick is extremely unpredictable.

Wild's eight draft picks a 'critical, critical part' of development - StarTribune.com
After lean returns the past two years, with the team lacking a first-rounder in 2017 and selecting only four players in 2016, the Wild is poised to assemble its heftiest draft haul since 2014.

Off the Trail

NHL - Biggest question for all 31 teams heading into the draft, free agency
Can the Islanders keep John Tavares? What's the deal with Corey Crawford? What will Vegas do with all of that cap space? We dig in.

Now comes the hard part for Gallant and the Golden Knights | The Hockey News
Is the fun over for Vegas? Not so fast. The Golden Knights know expectations will skyrocket next season, but their coach insists maintaining the fun factor is the best way to persevere.

Top Ten Longest NHL Trophy Droughts
Ever wondered who the last Maple Leaf to lead the league in scoring was? That answer, along with an exploration into other NHL trophy droughts are covered in detail to provide you with insight and knowledge of hockey's history.

Lee Stecklein Signs With Minnesota Whitecaps
The Minnesota Whitecaps have added Olympian Lee Stecklein - the first defender to join the team for the 2018-19 NWHL season.

EA NHL 19 Cover Athlete Announced
Gracing the cover of NHL 19 is not only well-deserved recognition for this highly accomplished player, but a good thing for hockey as a whole.

No Vegas Vacation: 10 snubs who won’t be present at the NHL Awards | The Hockey News
Claude Giroux finished second in league scoring, was one of only two players with a point on at least 40 percent of his team's goals and was rock-solid at both ends of the ice. He won't be in Vegas for the NHL Awards, though.

NHL - All the 2018 NHL Award Winners - Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Norris Trophy, Calder Trophy
Who won all of the major hardware for the 2017-18 season? Get the full rundown here.