Wilderness Walk: Glimpse at Winter Classic scenery

Your daily dose of Wild news, along with other interesting stories from around the NHL.

That’s Wild

• The Minnesota Wild hosted a couple media members at Target Field ahead of the 2022 Winter Classic and unveiled some of the beautiful scenery the team will get to play around in January.

• Up next on our 2021 Top 25 Under 25 ranking is the young phenom Matt Boldy as he takes the No. 4 spot. There are only three (obvious) names remaining, so it’s now just positioning. [Hockey Wilderness]
• We’re starting to look around the Central Division before the season gets going and first up are the stinky Arizona Coyotes. (They’re bad!) [Hockey Wilderness]
• ICYMI, one early focus for the Wild has been improving the power play and Evason specified one significant movement in position for the top unit. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Matt Dumba had a lot to say about his partnership with Jonas Brodin and that being the only stable pairing since last season. [Hockey Wilderness]
• And speaking of Dumba, him and Marcus Foligno have been named the team’s new alternate captains this season, replacing Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. [Hockey Wilderness]
• A little peak behind the curtains on the leadership group announcement. [The Athletic]

Off the trail…

• Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon says the Kotkaniemi offer sheet wasn’t revenge. Okay, yeah sure Tom. [The Athletic]
• A quick little trip around the NHL and looking at potential storylines heading into the season. [NBC Sports]
• New Jersey Devils prospect Nikita Popugayev has retired from hockey, opting to pursue a career as an Instagram influencer and content creator. What a life.