By Kyle Anway -
Everywhere but on the ice, it was a busy day for the Minnesota Wild. A lot of moving pieces, hardly any of them good.
The day started with a Paul Fenton and Bruce Boudreau press conference, discussing the state of the Minnesota Wild heading into the offseason. One of the only things that was staying put today was Boudeau, as Paul Fenton confirmed that Boudreau would remain the coach heading into the 2019-2020 season. Beyond that is still up in the air, as Fenton remarked that the two have have not discussed an extension beyond the one year remaining on Boudreau’s current deal.
It was moving day for the players, who packed up their lockers and met with the media for the last time this season. The prevailing theme was that they know they didn’t do enough, and that changes need to be made in order to take a step forward, especially at home. Zach Parise also confirmed that he’d been playing on a bum knee and broken foot, though thankfully he won’t need surgery for either. In fact, Fenton offered (reluctantly) to the media assembled that no players would need offseason medical attention other than rest and recuperation, and that Matt Dumba and Mikko Koivu would both have a chance of being ready for training camp in the fall.
Tuesday evening, where the Wild were hoping to have some positive movement up the draft board with a 10% chance of improvement and a 70% chance of staying put, they instead found themselves falling a spot to the 12th overall pick as Chicago hit on a 3% chance to move into the third overall spot. New Jersey won the first overall selection and the New York Rangers the number two spot, relegating Colorado to number four in what might be the only good news of the day.
As if the season didn’t end bad enough, today was kind a kick in the pants for the Wild and their fans. Next up for the team is the NHL Draft on June 21 and 22, and free agency on July 1. Until then, they, like all of us, will either be watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs... or hitting the links. That is, if we don’t get 36 inches of snow on Thursday.
Let’s walk.
Wild News
Wild plans to retool on fly when Koivu, Dumba return - StarTribune.com
After being shut out 11 times, the team must figure out a way to score more goals.
Boudreau gets vote of confidence; Parise finished year with broken foot - StarTribune.com
The Wild missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, and players were realistic as they cleaned out their lockers. "We've got a lot of work to do," said winger Zach Parise.
Wild winger Zucker faces uncertain summer - StarTribune.com
After some of his buddies were traded during the season, he could be on the block as a hot commodity.
Wild will pick 12th in June draft - StarTribune.com
The Wild had a 3 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick.
Wild confident it can rebound quickly from down season - StarTribune.com
Wild players cleaned out their lockers Tuesday, as the team reconvened at Xcel Energy Center to discuss how to improve after missing out on the playoffs.
Wild dismiss Brunette from player personnel job - StarTribune.com
Andrew Brunette, director of player personnel for the Wild, was an assistant general manager under GM Chuck Fletcher before Fletcher lost his job a year ago.
Boudreau will be back, but can Wild return to playoffs? - StarTribune.com
The subject of Bruce Boudreau's future with the Minnesota Wild, the coach said, had not been broached with general manager Paul Fenton until a reporter quizzed the boss about it while they sat next to each other at the podium for their season-ending news conference.
‘This is on all of us’: Wild begin to take stock of a lost season and how to fix it – The Athletic
As the Wild head into an all-important offseason, Paul Fenton and Bruce Boudreau talked Tuesday about what went wrong and what comes next.
Tending the Fields
MINNESOTA WILD REASSIGNS DONATO, GREENWAY, KUNIN TO IOWA | Iowa Wild
Minnesota Wild General Manager Paul Fenton announced today the NHL club has reassigned forwards Ryan Donato, Jordan Greenway and Luke Kunin to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).
THE WILD WIRE - #25 | Iowa Wild
With the winless streak now at eight games (0-7-1-0) and the Iowa Wild on the outside of the playoff picture for the first time since late October, the path to a playoff spot isn’t totally in the team’s control anymore.
On Frozen Pond
Four to watch in the Frozen Four - StarTribune.com
When Providence, Minnesota Duluth, Denver and Massachusetts get together Thursday in Buffalo, there will be plenty of standouts on display.
Hat trick in Montreal: St. Cloud State's Poehling has debut for the ages - StarTribune.com
In his first NHL game, the former St. Cloud State and Lakeville North standout had a hat trick and the winning shootout goal for the Montreal Canadiens.
US women rout Russia 10-0 to wrap pool play at worlds - StarTribune.com
Kendall Coyne Schofield and Lee Stecklein scored two goals each, and the United States routed Russia 10-0 Tuesday in the final game of the preliminary round at the women's world championship.
Canada beats Russia 5-1 at women's hockey worlds in Finland - StarTribune.com
ESPOO, Finland — Natalie Spooner scored a hat trick for Canada in a costly 5-1 victory over Russia on Monday at the women's world hockey championship.
Lottery Picks
The Athletic’s 2019 NHL Mock Draft (lottery edition): Devils get the No. 1 pick – The Athletic
With the top of the draft order set, 15 writers make the lottery picks and Corey Pronman analyzes each team's options.
Devils win NHL Draft Lottery, get No. 1 pick
TORONTO -- The New Jersey Devils have the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft after winning the NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday.
Top prospect Jack Hughes aiming for the stars as draft draws closer - TheHockeyNews
The spotlight has been on Jack Hughes for years now. But instead of shying away from the pressure, he has embraced it.
The Devils will contend again, because their GM is lucky... and smart - TheHockeyNews
Ray Shero has built a foundation for the future in New Jersey, but a little lottery luck doesn't hurt, either.
Off the Trail
NHL suspends Voynov for 2019-20 season for domestic violence - StarTribune.com
Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Voynov for what the league called unacceptable off-ice conduct. The 29-year-old Russian could have his eligibility restored on July 1, 2020, based on good behavior.
Kings say it’s ‘premature’ to comment on Slava Voynov’s suspension – The Athletic
The NHL has announced that Slava Voynov is suspended for 2019-20 and the 2020 postseason.
Prospect Need to Know: Big-time playoff performers - TheHockeyNews
Halifax's Raphael Lavoie is making a statement in the QMJHL post-season and he's not the only future NHLer making noise right now. Check out our weekly roundup of who's hot at the junior levels.
Stanley Cup Playoff Hype Rankings - Which series are must-see?
Based on seven categories, our definitive hype rankings let you know which first-round matchups will be the most exciting to watch.
Around the League
Trading places: NHL deadline deals' effect on playoff teams - StarTribune.com
Excuse Derick Brassard for having a little difficulty finding his bearings after the veteran center took an unorthodox cross-country route in reaching the NHL playoffs.
'Jerk' Hurricanes surge into 1st playoff series since 2009 - StarTribune.com
The Carolina Hurricanes have done plenty of unusual things this season, and here is one more: They are preparing for their first playoff series in a decade.
No one's asking those questions; new vibe for champ Capitals - StarTribune.com
ARLINGTON, Va. — For once, Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capitals head into the NHL playoffs without having to hear — and answer — so many of those same old same olds.
NHL playoffs: Atlantic bracket a brutal path to East final - StarTribune.com
Three of the top seven teams in the NHL are packed into a four-team murderers' row playoff bracket and only one can reach the Eastern Conference final.
Blues power: From last place to the playoffs for St. Louis - StarTribune.com
Dead last in the NHL in early January, the St. Louis Blues looked like underachievers who cost their head coach his job and wouldn't remain together for long.
The Athletic’s 2019 Stanley Cup playoff predictions – The Athletic
Our 52-person panel voted for the champion, Conn Smythe winner, most overrated and dark horse; plus they predicted each first-round matchup.
Stanley Cup tiers: Anonymous executives, coach, scout and player rate every playoff team – The Athletic
Which teams can push Tampa for the Stanley Cup? An anonymous panel of people inside the game rate every single playoff team into tiers.
Hedman will play Game 1 for Lightning against Blue Jackets
Victor Hedman will play for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVAS, SUN, FS-O), coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday.
Quenneville hire has Panthers fan base excited, energized
Dale Tallon has never felt better about the future of the Florida Panthers.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.