Wilderness Walk: Sorry Days

Happy Friyay Wilderness!

The Wild lost last night, but it’s alright Wild fans. It’s all part of the process without captain Mikko Koivu. Good news is the Wild play two games this weekend, on Saturday against the NewJersey Devils and on Sunday, they play the New York Islanders.``

Friyay Fun Fact: The decision to install higher plexiglass panels in all hockey arenas was taken after a player-spectator brawl in 1979. After a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, Mike Milbury of the Boston Bruins jumped over the glass, tore off a boisterous spectator’s shoe and proceeded to beat him with it. His actions resulted in a six-game suspension.

Taking us through this morning’s Walk is fittingly Halsey’s single Without Me. Tell me how it feels without Mikko Koivu, Wild fans?

Wild News

‘This was sort of the last straw’: Wild at a crossroads after another lackluster loss – The Athletic
They're still in playoff position, but Thursday's loss to Edmonton pushes the Wild closer to the edge as the trade deadline draws ever closer.

Early deficits continue to haunt Wild in loss to Oilers
Virtually all season, the Wild has been one of the best teams in the NHL at battling back from early deficits.

Missing Mikko: Boudreau calls some players 'a shell' of themselves after loss - StarTribune.com
The Wild's first game without injured captain Mikko Koivu was a dud that highlighted a familiar problem: a lack of execution in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton.

Wild can’t kid themselves any longer, must start retooling in wake of Koivu injury - TheHockeyNews
The Wild appeared to be somewhere between buyers and sellers entering the deadline, but losing captain Mikko Koivu for the remainder of the season should leave no doubt: it's time for Minnesota to start moving pieces out.

Wild moving forward without Koivu
The Minnesota Wild aren't feeling sorry for themselves after the loss of center Mikko Koivu, who will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

‘We’ve got to move on’: How the Mikko Koivu injury will affect the Wild lineup – The Athletic
Joel Eriksson Ek returns to the lineup tonight against Edmonton as the Wild look to move on after the loss of their captain.

VIDEO: Reaction on injury to Mikko Koivu | NHL.com
Minnesota players and staff react to the injury news to Wild captain Mikko Koivu

Reaction on injury to Mikko Koivu | NHL.com
Minnesota players and staff react to the injury news to Wild captain Mikko Koivu

On Frozen Pond

Minnesota Opens Road Trip at Penn State - University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher Hockey program opens a four-game road trip this weekend with a two-game series at No. 18 Penn State. Both games in the Friday/Saturday.

Off the Trail

Maple Leafs take subway to outdoor practice in full gear
This was no normal commute for Mike Babcock, however. The coach and several of his players -- in full hockey gear -- rode to subway to Toronto City Hall, where the Maple Leafs held an outdoor practice. "I think we surprised some people," forward Connor Brown said. "A couple people hopped on the subway with their head down and all of a sudden picked their head up and were shocked, but it was awesome. It's cool to do something like this, something different and interact with the fans."

NHL Trade Buzz: Bruins consider all options to boost scoring depth
Welcome to the NHL Trade Buzz. There are 18 days remaining until the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. ET and the buzz is picking up. Will the Boston Bruins find answers to scoring depth questions from within or through trade?

Hayes proves value, creates trade quandary for Rangers
Behind the Numbers is a weekly series in which NHL.com examines both player and team trends with an emphasis being placed on advanced statistics. This week, we look at New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes, who is one of several players who could be traded before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline.

NHL Rumors: Budget Forwards, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Phaneuf, More
In today's NHL rumors, the Edmonton Oilers search for a new GM, will they trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?, and which of their cheaper forwards is available.

No-move clauses, no-trade clauses, and how teams navigate both at the deadline – The Athletic
How often do teams pressure players to waive their trade protection? What happens if a player decides to dig in his heels? A look at the true worth of these coveted clauses.

Why Artemi Panarin as a rental is worth the risk, especially for these five top destinations – The Athletic
What teams make the most sense to pay the big price for Artemi Panarin? Craig Custance identifies five with insight as to why the Blue Jackets star would be such a good fit.

Why young NHL stars should bet on themselves and opt for less term – The Athletic
Even if Auston Matthew's contract is one of the most player-friendly deals an RFA has signed, he still likely left money on the table.

‘Mature beyond his years’: Connor McDavid’s evolution as Oilers leader through good times and bad – The Athletic
How Connor McDavid pulls along his teammates from here until the first week of April both on and off the ice could be the biggest factor on if the Oilers’ season will continue past that point.

Byfuglien in, Morrissey out, Laine a little down in the dumps for high-flying Jets - TheHockeyNews
The Winnipeg Jets are getting one blueliner back in Dustin Byfuglien, but they'll be without Josh Morrissey Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile, slumping sniper Patrik Laine is looking to finally break out of his funk.

Insider information: John Carlson's evolution in Washington - TheHockeyNews
The Capitals' No. 1 defenseman is having his best season ever - which is impressive, given how last year ended. His new head coach has some insights into how the hated Pittsburgh Penguins helped.

Sens’ rebuild plan is public, but will Stone and Duchene buy in? - TSN.ca
OTTAWA – It has been almost exactly a year – to the day – since the Ottawa Senators first planted the seed for a complete rebuild in the nation’s capital.

Kings' Phaneuf a healthy scratch Thursday - TSN.ca
The 33-year-old is minus-16 this season with one goal and three points in 46 games. He scored his first goal since Feb. 20, 2018 on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils

NHL Trade Rumour Roundup: Leafs, Lightning in on Simmonds? - Sportsnet.ca
We look at the buzz around the NHL the past week on: Wayne Simmonds suitors, whether or not the Florida Panthers will do something huge, an arms race in the Central?