Minnesota Wild News

It's hard to imagine what a professional fisherman and an NHL goalie would have in common, but Brian Schroeder of Zimmerman and Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild do have one thing in common.

May 5, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane protects the puck from Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center.

Three years before he died of a drug overdose, Derek Boogaard was punched in the mouth during a fight at a Minnesota Wild game.

Granlund and Brodin are among the young players the Wild recently drafted and expect to produce right away.

Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa, right, celebrates after scoring his second goal as Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding and Jared Spurgeon react during the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Chicago, Thursday, May 9, 2013.

When the Wild acquired Jason Pominville on April 3, the team seemed destined to use a compliance buyout this offseason on veteran Dany Heatley.

"He's a big body that can move," Wild goaltender Josh Harding said about Falk after Game 3 of the playoffs.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel.

The Minnesota Wild are currently in talks with Niklas Backstrom who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th.

After what they've done in the past 12 months or so, we probably shouldn't expect the Minnesota Wild to make another Earth shattering move.

Tyler Cuma looked like a defenseman that could make the Minnesota Wild 's roster as a teenager in 2008-09.

The number of teams looking for goalies might not be that big. If the Flyers are eyeing the possibility of a Bryzgalov buyout, this would be a good thing.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has won the Frank J. Selke Trophy for the NHL's best defensive forward, and Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators is the league's coach of the year.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Josh Harding was humbled by being named the NHL's 2013 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, and the Wild goaltender already is organizing ways to give back.

Harding revealed last November that he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an incurable auto-immune disease where the body randomly attacks the protective lining of nerves throughout the body.

With serious questions to answer in net before the start of next season, Wild GM Chuck Fletcher likely has his eye on a few goalies heading into the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The Minnesota Wild made a huge move before this season began when they went out and gave Zach Parise a huge free agent contract.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel.

Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek makes a save in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., on Feb. 17. / Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune There was an alarming moment a few weeks back when he and longtime friend and colleague Kris Draper were sheltered in a parking garage in Oklahoma City, ... (more)

OVER THE NEXT 2 days, the NHL will hand out its regular-season award winners for this season.