Wilderness Walk: Zach Attack Healthy as a Horse

Happy Friyay!

Thursday was an unexpected busy day during the “dog days” of the offseason. One of the Wild’s Central Division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Marian Hossa’s contract to the Arizona Coyotes to free up an estimated $4.5 million in cap space. Another Central Division team made some noise as well, as the Winnipeg Jets locked up Vezina Trophy runner-up Connor Hellebuyck for 6 years, carrying a cap hit of $6.167 million. As for your beloved Minnesota Wild, there was a handful of storylines that you might need to catch up on, including Zach Parise and Ryan Suter injury updates, Q&A with new GM Paul Fenton, and the first of two open-to-the-public development camp scrimmages took place, giving Wild fans a first look at many new draftees and prospects.

Taking us through our meaty Walk this Friyay is good ol’ John Denver.

Wild News

Parise ‘cleared to do everything’ for Wild
EDINA, Minn. -- Zach Parise declared himself healthy and said he’s “cleared to do everything” after the Minnesota Wild forward played in a game situation Wednesday for the first time since he fractured his sternum April 17.

Can Dmitry Sokolov be the goal-scorer the Wild have been looking for?
Dmitry Sokolov is as pure a goal-scorer as there is in the MN Wild farm system, fresh off a 50-goal campaign in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). But he's never committed himself to getting in shape, a requisite if he's to take the next step in professional hockey.

After ACL tear, Wild prospect Mason Shaw back to looking like 'the big strong farm boy that he is'
While he's not yet 100 percent, Mason Shaw has looked like his old self this week, flying around the Xcel Energy Center rink with the same ferocity that attracted the MN Wild in the first place.
Wild prospect Kahkonen ready to take on long odds as goalie - StarTribune.com
Finnish goalie Kaapo Kahkonen, picked 109th by Wild, is taking his next career steps. Kahkonen will make his pro debut in North America this fall in the Wild's pipeline

Can Dmitry Sokolov be the goal-scorer the Wild have been looking for?
Dmitry Sokolov is as pure a goal-scorer as there is in the MN Wild farm system, fresh off a 50-goal campaign in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). But he's never committed himself to getting in shape, a requisite if he's to take the next step in professional hockey.

Paul Fenton Q&A: On Wild’s offseason, Greenway, replacing Lalonde and more – The Athletic
The Athlectic's Nick Kelly caught up with the Wild GM at development camp for a quick one-on-one.

‘I’m almost there’: A day on the comeback trail with Ryan Suter – The Athletic
Ryan Suter was told his ankle injury was potentially career-ending. Three months later, he's on track to return for training camp. We spent a day with him for a look at his rehab.

Wild prospect Mason Shaw ready to go after ACL tear derailed his 2017-18 – The Athletic
Shaw looks like "the big, strong farm boy he is" as he returns to the ice following a devastating injury that cost him much of last season.

Call of a lifetime: Giroux's Wild ties date back to early childhood
Some prospects travel to the NHL Entry Draft's host city in hopes of hearing their name called in person. Others stay at home, glued to the television or their smartphone. But Giroux, one of the Wild's fifth-round picks in this year's draft, was at the golf course Saturday, June 23.

Busy summer for Zucker as negotiations continue
ICYMI: Jason Zucker spent the better chunk of his Tuesday morning speaking to more than 300 high school hockey captains and coaches about the importance of leadership. This weekend, he'll be at Izaty's Resort on Lake Mille Lacs taking part in this year's Wild on the Water fishing tournament.

Minnesota Wild | Minnesota Wild
Full coverage of the Wild's 2018 development camp at Xcel Energy Center.

On Frozen Pond

Paralyzed hockey player Jack Jablonski wiggles toes for first time in 7 years, shares 'shocking' video | Fox News
Paralyzed hockey player Jack Jablonski took a shot on the Fourth of July and scored when he tried — and succeeded — wiggling his toes.

Former U women's hockey star will share Whitecaps coaching duties - StarTribune.com
Ronda (Curtin) Engelhardt, the former head coach at Breck School, will coach the NWHL team along with Jack Brodt. Robb Stauber, head coach of the gold-medal winning U.S. women's team, said he "decided not to take the job."

Da Beauty League notes: Catching up with Nick Bjugstad; Zach Parise update – The Athletic
The Minnesota-born Florida Panthers forward and his agent talk about his future, plus a note on Zach Parise's return to action on the ice.

Off the Trail

Hossa traded to Coyotes by Blackhawks in seven-player deal
The Chicago Blackhawks cleared NHL salary cap space by trading Marian Hossa to the Arizona Coyotes as part of a seven-player deal on Thursday.The 39-year-old forward, who has three years remaining on his contract, told Slovakian newspaper Novy Cas in May his hockey career was over because of a skin disorder. Along with Hossa, the Coyotes received forward Vinnie Hinostroza, defenseman Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Chicago acquired forwards Marcus Kruger and Jordan Maletta, defenseman Andrew Campbell, the rights to unsigned draft pick MacKenzie Entwistle and a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft.

Hellebuyck agrees to six-year contract with Jets
WINNIPEG -- Connor Hellebuyck agreed to terms on a six-year, $37 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.It has an average annual value of $6.167 million and allows the 25-year-old goalie, who was a restricted free agent, and the Jets to avoid a salary arbitration hearing.

Former NHL Player Paul Bissonnette Makes His Media Mark In Post-Hockey Life
Just one year after retiring, the Twitter sensation known as @BizNasty2Point0 has built a busy post-hockey career in both traditional and new media.

A guide to bargain hunting in what’s left of the 2018 NHL free agent class – The Athletic
There are still some useful players out there looking for the right landing spot, and a budget-conscious team can find value.

5 NHLers poised for bounce-back seasons with new teams - Sportsnet.ca
Sometimes a fresh start is all a skater needs to get himself back into hockey's good graces. Here's a look at five players who could be set up for a successful bounce-back year with their new NHL club.