Wilderness Walk: The Trade Dealine

Welcome to Crazy Town, NHL. We’ve got all the trades and all the rumors. With the deteriorated relationship between Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators, it’s looking ever more likely that the generational defenseman will be traded. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild general manager, Chuck Fletcher, is as enigmatic as ever about the trade deadline.

Do you want, or expect, the Wild to make a move before today’s 3 p.m. ET deadline?

Wild News

Wild’s intentions unclear as trade deadline approaches | Star Tribune

“A case could be made to keep the Wild’s lineup intact, one that has succeeded enough to be in the hunt at the end of February.”

Wild place well-liked winger Chris Stewart on waivers | Star Tribune

By all accounts, Chris Stewart is a standout person, just not a very good NHL player. That said, it’s finally happening guys. Narnia was finally waived.

Can the Wild’s Season be Saved? | The Hockey Writers

It certainly seems like the Wild could be able to make the playoffs.

Wild win fourth straight with dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over Sharks | Star Tribune

“After earning three straight wins on a weeklong East Coast road trip, the Wild returned home with a chance to build some momentum with 20 games left in the regular season.”

The Trade Dealing

Senators Trade Brassard to Penguins | The Hockey Writers

There was a lot of moving pieces with this trade, and, reportedly, the league initially rejected it.

Rangers Trade Nash to Bruins | The Hockey Writers

Another trade with a lot of moving parts, albeit less complicated.

Oilers Trade Letestu to Predators For Pontus Aberg | The Hockey Writers

The Oilers try to get a little faster while Columbus brings home an old player.

Canadiens Trade Plekanec to Maple Leafs | The Hockey Writers

“This deal is one of what is expected to be many coming from the Canadiens this season as the team looks to rebuild for the future after a very disappointing 2017-18.”

Senators Can’t Afford to Trade Karlsson | The Hockey Writers

Truly the man of the day, generational defenseman Erik Karlsson is most likely on the move, whether it’s good for the Senators or not.

Five Ring Circus

Olympics Athletes From Russia Win Gold Medal | The Hockey Writers

Kirill Kaprizov scored the game winning goal for Not Russia as they ended Germany’s great story.

Bruins Sign Brian Gionta | The Hockey Writers

I wasn’t a fan of Gionta in what I saw of him in the Olympics, but the Bruins clearly saw more.

Ducks Sign Chris Kelly | The Hockey Writers

Another Olympian signs an NHL contract, this one from Canada’s Bronze Medal winning team.

Off the Trail

Marjory Stoneman Douglas hockey team wins state championship | NBC Sports

“The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School varsity hockey team can now call themselves state champions, 11 days after a gunman killed 17 and injured 14 others on the Parkland, Florida campus.”

Revisiting Relative Shot Metrics – Part 1 | Hockey Graphs

EvolvingWild takes a look at relative shot metrics in order to gain a more concrete understanding of them.

Revisiting Relative Shot Metrics – Part 2 | Hockey Graphs

Part 2, the sequel to Part 1.

Senators arena security wages war on anti-Melnyk fans | Yahoo Sports

“Things in Ottawa are going to hell in a hurray as one of the most tense trade deadlines in the franchise’s history looms.”

Kovalchuk reiterates desire to return to NHL next season | NBC Sports

“Ilya Kovalchuk made a bit of news after he won the Olympic gold medal with the Olympic Athletes from Russia.”

Brothers in the NHL | The Hockey Writers

A list of all the brothers in the NHL.

Rinne, Predators hand Blues their sixth straight loss in 4-0 win | NBC Sports

The Wild will face the St. Louis Blues in the middle of one of Mike Yeo’s infamous slumps.