17
That’s Wild
- After he has had a somewhat unexpected surge in production this season with 35 points in 49 games, winger Marcus Johansson is able to make his Olympic dream come true. As Team Sweden suffer a boatload of injuries to almost every position, Johansson, along with Bruins blueliner Hampus Lindholm, was named as Leo Carlsson’s replacement on the roster. It is bittersweet too, as Lindholm is the replacement for the Wild’s Jonas Brodin. [Sportsnet]
- With all the buzz that the Wild are dangling young netminder Jesper Wallstedt in trade talks as they continue to look for a top-six center, there is an argument that they should hold on to the 23-year-old. [Hockey Wilderness]
- And speaking of centers, while it might be a pipe dream, getting Nico Hischier from the New Jersey Devils feels like the one player that would take the Wild to the very top of the NHL and compete with Colorado to come out of the Western Conference. [Hockey Wilderness]
Off the trail…
- The three factors that has brought the aforementioned Avalanche to the top of the NHL. [ESPN]
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone 0-4-1 on their latest homestand and it is spelling out one specific thing: Sell, sell, sell. [Sportsnet]
- With Brodin bowing out, there is a potential snub for his replacement as Oilers blueliner Matias Ekholm is putting on some very good performances after being not named to Sweden’s Olympic roster. [Sportsnet]