Logan Couture scores PP goal in OT to give Sharks 2-1 victory over Kings in Game 3

Source: Star Tribune

Sharks fined $100,000 for GM Doug Wilson's comments about Raffi Torres' suspension

Source: Star Tribune

Sharks fined $100,000 for GM's comments (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The NHL fined the San Jose Sharks $100,000 on Saturday for general manager Doug Wilson's public comments about forward Raffi Torres' suspension.

Rangers (the other kind) help motivate Boston Bruins as they push toward Stanley Cup

Source: Star Tribune

Ottawa star Jason Spezza to return to Senators lineup for Game 3 against Penguins

Source: Star Tribune

Brunner, Smith lead charge as Red Wings beat Blackhawks 4-1 in Game 2 to tie Western semifinal

Source: Star Tribune

Chicago Blackhawks streaking again, this time on the penalty kill (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In 2012, the Chicago Blackhawks’ penalty kill failed them in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They gave up 4 goals on 19 chances in a loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, who entered the postseason with the 29th best power play in the NHL. The Hawks had the 27th best PK in the regular season; those struggles continues in the playoffs. So they remedied that in the offseason, bringing in Los Angeles Kings assistant coach and penalty kill architect Jamie Kompon. After the lockout ended, they converted offensive forwards Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik in special teams defenders. The results were stunning: The PK provided the backbone for the Blackhawks’ 24-game streak with at least one point earned, and the team gave up the fewest power-play goals in the regular season (18) while finishing with the third-best penalty kill (87.2 percent). In the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs … well, it’s been perfect: 20 times shorthanded, 20 kills, including a perfect 17-for-17 in Round 1 against the Minnesota Wild (17.9 percent in the regular season.

Wilderness Walk: 5-18-2013

Source: Hockey Wilderness by WIMinnesotaWildFan

Good day, Wilderness! As boring as the offseason can be, the Walk still must go on. It's going to be a relatively short one, and most of it will be off the beaten path. Have your hiking boots on? Good. Now, let's take a Walk.

Wild News

Wild have options in net, but even more questions - FOX Sports North - Will this mean that the Wild finally trade Backstrom? We'll just have to wait and see what happens later in this offseason.

Minnesota Wild's Xcel Energy Center Named

Crosby's hat trick puts Penguins firmly in control of series with Senators

Source: Star Tribune

Sidney Crosby has 2nd career playoff hat trick, sparks Penguins to 4-3 victory over Senators

Source: Star Tribune

Crosby's second career playoff hat trick sparks Penguins to 4-3 victory over Senators

Source: Star Tribune

Sharks GM disagrees with suspension of Torres (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said Friday that the organization strongly disagrees with the NHL's decision to suspend forward Raffi Torres for a hit that knocked out Los Angeles forward Jarret Stoll.

Top defensive forwards Datsyuk, Toews and Bergeron key performers in NHL playoffs

Source: Star Tribune

Wild have options in net, but even more questions

Source: Yardbarker

ST. PAUL, Minn. Even without starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom, the Minnesota Wild's 4-1 first-round playoff series loss to the Chicago Blackhawks couldn't be pinned on the team's goaltending situation. Facing the NHL's second-highest scoring team during the regular season wasn't the issue. Instead it was the team's lack of scoring, such as going 0 of 18 on the power play, which led to Minnesota's early playoff exit. Josh Harding, who had played in one NHL game in the nearly three months previous to starting Game 1, filled in admirably for Backstrom with a 2.94 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. Yet, as the Wild enter the offseason, goaltending is the biggest question facing general manager Chuck Fletcher and the team's staff. Backstrom, off a season in which he tied for the league-lead in wins, is an unrestricted free agent. Harding and rookie Darcy Kuemper, who was thrust into action after Harding was hurt in the playoffs, are under contract. But the team'

Wild have options in net, but even more questions

Source: Yardbarker

ST. PAUL, Minn. Even without starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom, the Minnesota Wild's 4-1 first-round playoff series loss to the Chicago Blackhawks couldn't be pinned on the team's goaltending situation. Facing the NHL's second-highest scoring team during the regular season wasn't the issue. Instead it was the team's lack of scoring, such as going 0 of 18 on the power play, which led to Minnesota's early playoff exit. Josh Harding, who had played in one NHL game in the nearly three months previous to starting Game 1, filled in admirably for Backstrom with a 2.94 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. Yet, as the Wild enter the offseason, goaltending is the biggest question facing general manager Chuck Fletcher and the team's staff. Backstrom, off a season in which he tied for the league-lead in wins, is an unrestricted free agent. Harding and rookie Darcy Kuemper, who was thrust into action after Harding was hurt in the playoffs, are under contract. But the team'

The Buyout Question

Source: Hitting the Post

What first struck me as a comment unfit for consideration at The SHP the other day by Lemmiwinks about Heatley staying on with the Wild after this season now has me thinking about it.

A lot of people assumed that Heatley would be a buyout candidate after this season, given that the cap is expected to fall to 64.3 million dollars for the 13-14 season. Indeed, the Wild find themselves in a pickle with regard to the salary cap going into next year. This much was assumed, but with the acquisition of Jason Pominville, the Wild seemed to be shutting the door on the Dany Heatley Era. Consider that the Wild have committed $55.1MM committed to next season (which

Minnesota Wild Final Season Grades: The Right Wingers (Staff Writers' Grades)

Source: Hockey Wilderness by WIMinnesotaWildFan

Today is a great day for you, WIlderness! You get 2 grades posts in the same day! Earlier today, the editors put up their grades for the Wild's right wingers, now it's time to see how us staff writers graded them.

Dan Czarnecki (WIMinnesotaWildFan)

Devin Setoguchi: B

Seto had an ok season with the Wild this year. It really helps when Cullen is there with him on his line, but when he was gone, Seto seemed to disappear too. Finishing as the 5th best player of the season for the team is "B" worthy in my books though.

Cal Clutterbuck: C

Not the best season for Clutterbuck, but it wasn't all that terrible. He simply didn't live up to our expectations this season. Sometimes, I felt like he was trying

A Penguin's progress: Pascal Dupuis' tireless trek from playoff spare part to goal-scoring gamer (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Pittsburgh Penguins' Pascal Dupuis has gone from a forgotten role player to Sidney Crosby's indispensable wingman and one of the NHL's most productive 5-on-5 scorers.

Jack Adams Award: Bruce Boudreau vs. Paul MacLean vs. Joel Quenneville (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The NHL announced the finalists for the Jack Adams Award on Friday, as Bruce Boudreau of the Anaheim Ducks, Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators and Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks are up for the trophy presented to the head coach who has "contributed the most to his team's success," as voted on by members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association. We imagine it warms Mike Babcock’s heart to see Quenneville get a nomination, being that President’s Trophy winners don’t always get the Jack Adams love. Then again, it’s hard to ignore a coach who guides his team to 24 straight games with at least a point to start the season. It was a bumper crop for great NHL coaching performances this season, which is bad news for Jack Capuano of the New York Islanders, Mike Yeo of the Minnesota Wild, Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Babcock and especially Michel Therrien of the Montreal Canadiens. Who takes home the Jack?

Minnesota Wild Season Grades: The Right Wingers

Source: Hockey Wilderness by Emilie

As the week wraps up, your Wilderness editors bring you the last of our grades for the forwards. The staff will be post their grades for the RWs later today as well.

Devin Setoguchi

Bryan- Clearly the greatest right wing ever to play the game, Setoguchi is without fault, and has absolutely no negatives to mention whatsoever. The Wild should violate the CBA and renegotiate Setoguchi's contract right now and give him the maximum contract. If they have to trade Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu to do it, so be

Wilderness Walk: 5-17-2013

Source: Hockey Wilderness by Tony Wiseau

Here's the Walk kids. Get your hiking boots on, because we're going off the trail.

Wild News

Backstrom has sports hernia surgery | StarTribune.com

Off the Trail

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Recap - May 16, 2013 - ESPN- Wow. LA is magic.

Brad Marchand scores Game 1 OT winner as Bruins top Rangers (Video) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports- Booooo.

Bruins' OT success continues as Marchand scores decisive goal in 3-2 Game 1 win over Rangers

Source: Star Tribune

Staples stunner: Brown, Lewis score PP goals in final minutes, LA Kings shock Sharks 4-3

Source: Star Tribune

Crosby, Harding, McQuaid up for Masterton Trophy

Source: Yardbarker

Penguins star Sidney Crosby, Wild goaltender Josh Harding and Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid are this season's nominees for the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The award is presented to ''the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.'' Crosby returned to form this year after missing extended time with concussion issues the past two seasons. The Penguins captain finished fourth in the NHL with 56 points despite missing 12 games because of injuries, including a broken jaw he suffered when hit in the face with a puck on March 30. Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last fall and missed 33 games as he underwent treatment. On April 22, he was activated from injured reserve and returned to the Wild lineup. McQuaid suffered a season-threatening injury in September when he was diagnosed with a condition causing dangerous blood clots to form in his body. After undergoing two emergency operation to remove the clots, the

Staples stunner: Brown, Lewis score PP goals in final minutes, LA Kings shock Sharks 4-3

Source: Star Tribune

Bruins win Game 1 in OT vs. Rangers

Source: Star Tribune

Brad Marchand's overtime goal gave the Bruins a 1-0 series lead over the Rangers. It was the first playoff game in 40 years between the Original Six teams.

Bruins-Rangers preview; Can LA repeat?

Source: Star Tribune

Who has the edge in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Rangers or the Bruins? CineSport's Noah Coslov asks NHL Network Analyst E.J. Hradek this, and if the Los Angeles Kings can repeat.

Marchand's OT goal lifts Bruins past Rangers 3-2 in Game 1 of series

Source: Star Tribune

Offseason pontifications: Why not Keith Ballard?

Source: Hockey Wilderness by Eric B

One of the criticisms that I have heard from time-to-time about the Minnesota Wild, is that the Wild don't have any former Minnesota Gophers currently playing for the home town team.

Wrap your fingers around this. On the 2013 Minnesota Wild roster, there were numerous Badgers, a Fighting Sioux, a Catamount, a Terrier and a Husky. But there were no Minnesota Golden Gophers. Not one.

True, the Wild have Erik Haula in the Wild's farm system, but there is no guarantee that he will even make the big squad next season or that he is even ready to play for the Minnesota Wild in the near future. Also,

Another New Kid on the Block: Welcome Fel 96 to the staff!

Source: Hockey Wilderness by Emilie

Even though the season is over, and SBN is having massive tech issues, We are excited to bring you yet another new staff member.

Most of you may know Felix from his awesome Youtube videos that are always up super fast on twitter for hits/goals/injuries/awesome plays. He's been commenting here every so often, but now the time has come to make him a full blown writer.

He'll be pitching in over the summer to help bring new content to the site every day (that's the goal guys, new content every day this summer!), and will be helping out with Wild coverage and general NHL coverage next season. He'll probably be pitching in wherever we need him too as well.

Here's a little more about him, straight from his mouth

Sharks' Torres suspended for rest of Kings series (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK (AP) -- San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres was suspended for the rest of the Western Conference semifinal series against Los Angeles on Thursday for a hit to Kings forward Jarret Stoll's head.

The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors ready to sell trove of items that brought him closer to game

Source: Star Tribune

Capitals say Alex Ovechkin got hairline fracture in left foot during Game 6 against Rangers

Source: Star Tribune

Minnesota Wild Final Season Grades: Centers (Staff Writers)

Source: Hockey Wilderness by WIMinnesotaWildFan

Yesterday, the editors here at Hockey Wilderness did their final season grades for the Wild's centers. Now it's time to see how us staff writers graded them.

Dan Czarnecki (WIMinnesotaWildFan)

Mikko Koivu: B

Koivu had a pretty decent season for the Wild. During the playoffs, many people thought he should be stripped of his "C" patch because he simply couldn't do too much in our tough playoff series against the mighty Chicago Blackhawks. During the regular season though, he racked up the goals and assists, and led us to wins. I still think Koivu will serve the Wild well as the captain.

Kyle Brodziak: C

Brodziak's performance was just "meh" to say the least. He scored only 4 goals during

Wild goalie Backstrom has sports hernia surgery

Source: Yardbarker

Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom has undergone sports hernia surgery. The team announced that Backstrom's operation went as planned on Thursday morning in Philadelphia. The procedure was done by Dr. William Meyers. The 35-year-old Backstrom aggravated the injury while warming up before Minnesota's first game of the Western Conference quarterfinal series at Chicago on April 30. Josh Harding was sent in to replace him, and Backstrom was unable to play the rest of the series. The Wild have said Backstrom is expected to be fully recovered for the start of next season. Whether he's still in the net for them is another matter. Backstrom will become an unrestricted free agent in July. He has played all seven of his NHL seasons with the Wild.

Wild goalie Backstrom has sports hernia surgery (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom has undergone sports hernia surgery.

Xcel Energy Center Seating Chart Diagram

Source: MN Wild Freak by MN Wild Freak

Ever get your Wild tickets or tickets for another event at the Xcel Energy Center and have no idea where you're going? You've come to the right blog post! Above is the Xcel Energy Center Seating Chart Diagram for your viewing convince.



Don't be shy! Come on out to the Xcel Energy Center:
199 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Backstrom undergoes sports hernia surgery

Source: Yardbarker

ST. PAUL, Minn. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent surgery on Thursday to repair the sports hernia that caused him to miss the entire playoffs for the Minnesota Wild. Backstrom, who tied for the league lead with 24 wins in the regular season, missed the entire playoffs after coming up with an injury in the pregame warmups of Minnesota's first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks. Backstrom had tried to return with the injury and practiced with the team, but he was unable to play again. The Wild announced that the surgery, performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia, was successful and Backstrom is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2013-14 season. Backup goalie Josh Harding started each game of the playoffs in Minnesota's 4-1 series loss to Chicago. Backstrom was 24-15-3 during the regular season with a 2.48 goalsagainst average and .909 save percentage. He started 26 of the team's final 27 games as the Wild looked to return to the playoffs for the first tim

Backstrom undergoes sports hernia surgery

Source: Yardbarker

ST. PAUL, Minn. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent surgery on Thursday to repair the sports hernia that caused him to miss the entire playoffs for the Minnesota Wild. Backstrom, who tied for the league lead with 24 wins in the regular season, missed the entire playoffs after coming up with an injury in the pregame warmups of Minnesota's first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks. Backstrom had tried to return with the injury and practiced with the team, but he was unable to play again. The Wild announced that the surgery, performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia, was successful and Backstrom is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2013-14 season. Backup goalie Josh Harding started each game of the playoffs in Minnesota's 4-1 series loss to Chicago. Backstrom was 24-15-3 during the regular season with a 2.48 goalsagainst average and .909 save percentage. He started 26 of the team's final 27 games as the Wild looked to return to the playoffs for the first tim

Backstrom has sports hernia surgery

Source: Star Tribune

The Wild goalie missed the playoffs after aggravating the injury.

Minnesota Wild: Niklas Backstrom's surgery successful

Source: TwinCities.com by Pioneer Press<br>

Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom underwent successful sports hernia surgery Thursday in Philadelphia and is expected to be ready for the 2013-14 season, Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher announced.

Backstrom Undergoes Successful Surgery

Source: NHL.com

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced that goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent successful sports hernia surgery today by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia, Pa. Backstrom is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2...

St. Louis, Kane and Moulson are finalists for Lady Byng Trophy, NHL's sportsmanship award

Source: Star Tribune

Statsny, Craig Smith lead USA to 8-3 win over Russia in world hockey quarterfinals

Source: Star Tribune

St. Martin, Kane and Moulson are finalists for Lady Byng Trophy, NHL's sportsmanship award

Source: Star Tribune

Oduya, Kruger strike in 3rd as Chicago Blackhawks beat Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in series opener

Source: Star Tribune

Blackhawks take opener with third-period surge (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

CHICAGO -- In a season that has been nothing short of magical thus far, the Chicago Blackhawks showed Wednesday that they still have a few more tricks left up their sleeve.

Blackhawks win series opener vs. Detroit

Source: Star Tribune

Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 1 - Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger scored in the third period as the Blackhawks dropped the Red Wings in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 1 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

CHICAGO -- Snapping a 1-1 tie that existed from the middle of the first period, the Chicago Blackhawks exploded for three goals in the third period to trounce the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in Wednesday's Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Oduya, Kruger strike in 3rd as Chicago Blackhawks edge Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in series opener

Source: Star Tribune