Wilderness Walk: Read Ready

Happy Friyay!

Another day has passed and yet the amount of NHL news was still little to none. As for your beloved Minnesota Wild, there are a few interesting articles below on newcomer Matt Read, bus driver Zach Parise, and the state of the team entering next season. Have a great weekend!

Taking us through today’s Walk is a classic from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simple Man.

Wild News

Read ready to seize new opportunity with Wild
Matt Read says he doesn't consider himself a full-blooded Minnesotan yet. But considering his pedigree -- and now his future -- membership in that club may not be too far behind.

Three questions facing Minnesota Wild – ProHockeyTalk
How much longer will this team look the same under a new GM?

If Zach Parise is Scoring, the Minnesota Wild are Winning
When Zach Parise plays, the Minnesota Wild are a solid team. The forward has a serious impact on the team's offense.

Minnesota Wild New Coach Dean Evason Brings Experience & Familiarity
Dean Evason brings plenty of experience as a new assistant coach of the Minnesota Wild. The Manitoba native will join plenty of familiar faces this season.

On Frozen Pond

Mike Hastings & Minnesota State Are Hungry To End Tourney Curse This Year
Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings has won a lot of games — a lot. But that success hasn't yet translated to the NCAA tournament.

Ahockalypse: Zombie, hockey movie filmed in MN is released | kare11.com
It's the zombie and hockey movie, filmed in Minnesota, you've been waiting for. I know, I know.... it sounds really good.

Wisconsin Badgers grant release to incoming men's hockey winger Sampo Ranta, who's reportedly headed to Minnesota | Wisconsin Badgers Hockey | madison.com
Speedy winger Sampo Ranta, a third-round NHL draft pick who was scheduled to join the Badgers this fall, instead will start his college career at Minnesota, according to reports.

University of Minnesota coaching hires fuel high expectations
Bob Motzko and Lindsay Whalen's connections across state could keep more Minnesota athletes in state, and help bolster high school programs.

Read ready to seize new opportunity with Wild
Matt Read says he doesn't consider himself a full-blooded Minnesotan yet. But considering his pedigree -- and now his future -- membership in that club may not be too far behind.

Off the Trail

Pronman: Which prospects helped their draft stock at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup? – The Athletic
Corey Pronman looks at which prospects stood out at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Kase’s three-year, $7.8-million deal with Ducks has serious upside – TheHockeyNews
Ondrej Kase was a curious case heading into the off-season.

Five NHL backup goalies who could play their way into starting jobs – TheHockeyNews
When last season began, and hard as it may be to believe now, Connor Hellebuyck was the Winnipeg Jets’ backup netminder. In the opening game of the 2017-18 campaign, it was Steve Mason and not Hellebuyck who got the start.

An analysis of how the league’s best forwards score goals - TSN.ca
One thing that always fascinates me about the NHL’s modern day goal scorer is that there are an awful lot of ways to be successful.

Jets' Laine: 'No rush' to sign extension - TSN.ca
Winnipeg Jets star Patrik Laine is entering the final season of his entry-level contract, but the 20-year-old said Thursday there's no rush to sign an extension.

Blashill: 'A lot of doubt' on Zetterberg playing - TSN.ca
Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill hinted Wednesday that captain Henrik Zetterberg will not be able to play the 2018-19 season dude to lingering back issues.

Maple Leafs RFA William Nylander still in no rush to sign new deal - Sportsnet.ca
Despite what happened with fellow RFA Dylan Larkin, Toronto Maple Leafs star forward William Nylander still isn't in any rush.