Wilderness Walk: Suter to play in World Championships

Happy Friyay Wilderness!

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter will be on the 2019 U.S. Men’s World Championship team. The tournament does not start until next month, but if you want more info click here.

Friyay Postseason Play

6:00 CT — Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins (series tied 2-2)

9:00 CT — Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames (COL leads 3-1)

Friyay Fun Fact:  Charlotte Grahame, a director of hockey administration for the Colorado Avalanche, had her name added to the Cup in 2001. Later, her son John Grahame won the Cup with the Lightning in 2004. They are the only mother-son combination on the Stanley Cup.

Wild News

Wild defenseman Ryan Suter to play in World Championships - StarTribune.com
Wild defenseman Ryan Suter has been named to the U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the World Championships in May.

Wild names Chris O'Hearn Director of Hockey Operations
Minnesota Wild General Manager Paul Fenton today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Chris O'Hearn Director of Hockey Operations.

Wild inks Duhaime to two-year, entry-level contract
Minnesota Wild General Manager Paul Fenton today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed forward Brandon Duhaime to a two-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2019-20 season. He will report to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) for the remainder of this season.

Hunt hopes his hockey future remains in Minnesota
For a guy that wasn't supposed to even make it this far in his hockey career, Wild defenseman Brad Hunt could reach a career crossroads on July 1, when he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

On Frozen Pond

Tim Army Unplugged: Iowa coach talks playoff berth, Wild’s prospects and more – The Athletic
An extensive Q&A with the Iowa Wild coach as they ready for their first-ever playoff run in Des Moines.

An offseason wish list for Minnesota's college hockey teams - StarTribune.com
The five Division I men's teams -- Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, Minnesota and Bemidji State -- all have concerns for 2019-20. A look at what could help each team.

Minnesota Duluth's Scott Sandelin: 'It's a special time for the program' - StarTribune.com
Fresh off back-to-back national championships, the Bulldogs coach plans on sticking around Duluth and has added U.S. world junior team coaching duties to his busy offseason.

Gophers cut season ticket prices for men's basketball, hockey - Bring Me The News
The cheapest season tickets are the lowest they've been since the 1990s.

Off the Trail

Seattle NHL expansion team working hard on rebuilding arena
SEATTLE -- The Seattle NHL expansion team plans to open its arena in June 2021, the ownership group and developers said at an open house Thursday.

Vigneault confident he can coach Flyers to quick turnaround
Alain Vigneault says the one thing missing from his coaching resume is winning the Stanley Cup, and the Philadelphia Flyers give him the best chance to check that box off his personal bucket list. Vigneault, who was hired by the Flyers on Monday, replacing Scott Gordon, spent this season out of work after being fired by the New York Rangers on April 7, 2018.

Lady Byng finalists unveiled
Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers, Sean Monahan of the Calgary Flames and Ryan O'Reilly of the St. Louis Blues were named finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy on Thursday.

NHL Rumors: Jon Cooper, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, More
In today's NHL rumors we talk the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Pittsburgh Penguins who will keep their coach but may move some key names.

Potential free agents who are increasing their value with playoff success – The Athletic
Craig Custance examines the potential unrestricted free agents who are already increasing their value in the playoffs.

John Buccigross and Barry Melrose are happy to be near the ice and on the air – The Athletic
The ESPN personalities were once fixtures in the lives of hockey fans and crave more moments like the Frozen Four on the network.

DGB Grab Bag: Lightning and Penguins post-sweep excuses, a playoff outrage roundup and Alan Thicke – The Athletic
Two of the league's most star-studded teams were both swept in the first round. So what happened?

The ‘beast’ who is Mikko Rantanen continues to eat the Flames alive – The Athletic
"I mean, he's had an amazing season and he's going to be a force for the next decade," Nathan MacKinnon said.

Bergeron, O’Reilly and Stone named finalists for Selke – who wins and who was snubbed? - TheHockeyNews
The Bruins center could make history with a fifth Selke Trophy victory, but in his way stand O'Reilly and Stone, who is the first winger to finish top-three in voting in more than a decade.

Teravainen, Hurricanes top Capitals to even series - TSN.ca
Carolina beat the defending Stanley Cup champions 2-1 on Thursday night to square the series at two games apiece, with Teuvo Teravainen scoring the go-ahead goal with 27.9 seconds left in the second period.

Oshie to miss "quite some time" with injury - TSN.ca
Washington Capitals forward T. J. Oshie will miss "quite some time" after leaving Thursday's Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period with an injury, head coach Todd Reirden announced after the game.

Babcock 'impressed' by makeshift Nylander line in Kadri's absence - Sportsnet.ca
Were it not for the sturdy play of Wiliam Nylander, Nazem Kadri’s absence would be felt more urgently by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Duchene, Lehner among pending free agents upping value in playoffs - Sportsnet.ca
We looked at some players on expiring contracts whose performances early on this post-season could do wonders for the value of their next deal.