The New Jersey Devils advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last night, and with that, the Wild acquired the Devils' 2013 third-round pick. That was the "conditionary" portion of that second draft pick it acquired in February's Marek Zidlicky deal. I'm sure the Devils don't mind.
Wild prospects continue to be trucking along. Mikael Granlund is playing alongside Mikko Koivu for Finland in the world championships, while Sweden even surprised the Wild by choosing Jonas Brodin and Johan Larsson to play because they're so young.
Depending on what happens tonight may determine if Larsson continues. If the Caps lose, there's a very good chance Nicklas Backstrom is picked up to play the remainder of the tournament, which could affect Larsson. I'd think Brodin stays no matter what. He's been playing great, I'm told.
Remember, Granlund can't be signed until after the world championships are complete, and that should happen within a day or two I'd think. The Wild continue to say this is not a concern. Remember, the Wild loses his rights if unsigned after June 1. However, he doesn't become a free agent. He'd have to re-enter the draft. In other words, he wouldn't get to choose his eventual destination.
There's all the reasons in the world for him to play here: 1. Opportunity. 2. He's a lock to make next year's roster. 3. Mikko. 4. Niklas Backsrom owns a piece of his current team, HIFK. 5. The Wild adores him. 6. The fans can't wait to see him. 7. The weather's Finland nice in the winter, etc. 8. the Finnish Bistro serves all his favorite delicacies. 9. Nice beat writer. 10. Falness.
Again, Granlund has said publicly many times to me that his plan is to sign here and his agent has said the same thing. So, ... I don't think you should be emailing and tweeting me as much as you do!!!
And in the Quebec League Final, Saint John holds a 2-0 lead over Rimouski heading into tonight's Game 3.
Wild prospect Charlie Coyle leads all scorers in the league with 15 goals and 32 points. Wild prospect Zack Phillips is second with 29 points and leads everyone with 21 assists. Coyle is a plus-25 in 15 games, Phillips is a plus-22.
Lastly, the Wild released information for the 2012 Road Tour today. Here's the release:
The Minnesota Wild has announced the dates, times and locations of the 18-city, 2012 Wells Fargo Minnesota Wild Road Tour. Three separate legs of the tour begin Monday, June 25 and will stop at two locations each day. The tour will culminate with the seventh annual Wild Summer Bash on Thursday, June 28 at the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL in Roseville from 6-9 p.m.
Wild celebrities, including two Minnesota Wild players, will be present on each of the tour's three legs.
The first leg of the tour (Charlie Coyle, Matt Kassian, Antti Laaksonen, Mike Greenlay) will make stops in Winona, Rochester, Austin, Owatonna, Mankato and New Ulm. Leg two (Nate Prosser, Jason Zucker, Bob Kurtz, Tom Reid) will start in Duluth, and continue in Eveleth, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, St. Cloud and Willmar. The final leg (Justin Falk, Chad Rau, Wes Walz, Kevin Falness) will begin in International Falls, and then make stops in Warroad, Thief River Falls, Bemidji, Fargo/Moorhead and Detroit Lakes. Matt Cullen will also make an appearance in Fargo/Moorhead.
Each tour stop will include a fundraising opportunity for local youth hockey associations, as well as autographs from Wild celebrities.
The Guidant John Rose MN OVAL in Roseville will serve as the site of the Summer Bash on Thursday, June 28. From 6-9 p.m., fans will have a chance to play hockey-themed games and can take part in autograph sessions and photo opportunities with Wild celebrities. Other activities include open skating, live music, zamboni rides, food and beverage, a live KFAN broadcast and more.
-- 2012 MINNESOTA WILD ROAD TOUR SCHEDULE ON FOLLOWING PAGE --
2012 WELLS FARGO MINNESOTA WILD ROAD TOUR SCHEDULE**
JUNE 25 JUNE 26 JUNE 27 JUNE 28
LEG ONE:
Celebrities
Charlie Coyle
Matt Kassian
Antti Laaksonen
Mike Greenlay
WINONA
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Bud King Ice Arena
670 East Front St.
ROCHESTER
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Wells Fargo
3360 55th St. NW
AUSTIN
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo
501 N. Main St.
OWATONNA
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Central Park
(between Main & Broadway)
MANKATO
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo
1901 Bassett Dr.
NEW ULM
4:00-5:00 p.m.
New Ulm Civic Center
1212 North Franklin St.
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
LEG TWO:
Celebrities
Nate Prosser
Jason Zucker
Tom Reid
Bob Kurtz
DULUTH
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Heritage Sports Center
120 S. 30th Ave. W
EVELETH
4:00-5:00 p.m.
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
801 Hat Trick Ave.
GRAND RAPIDS
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Eagles Club
1776 Hwy. 169
BRAINERD
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Brainerd Area Civic Center
502 Jackson St.
ST. CLOUD
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Municipal Athletic Complex
5001 Veterans Dr.
WILLMAR
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Community Christian School
1300 19th Ave. SW
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
LEG THREE:
Celebrities
Justin Falk
Chad Rau
Wes Walz
Kevin Falness
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Smokey Bear Park
603 3rd St.
WARROAD
3:30-4:30 p.m.
The Gardens Arena
707 Elk St. NW
THIEF RIVER FALLS
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center
501 Brooks Ave. N
BEMIDJI
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Market Place Food & Drug Parking Lot
2000 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW
FARGO/MOORHEAD
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Moorhead Youth Arena
707 SE Main Ave.
Matt Cullen appearance
DETROIT LAKES
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Kent Freeman Arena
1300 Rossman Ave.
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
** All dates, times, locations and guests are subject to change.