1. Unless one side caves or compromises or whatever you want to call it from a few hours ago, the Wild and Erik Haula will go to an 8 a.m. CT Friday arbitration hearing. Again, this was as of a couple hours ago. The gap is $425,000 between what each side is seeking from the arbitrator, so one sitdown could potentially change things. Both sides are currently in Toronto.
But I'd be surprised if this isn't going to arb.
If the two sides don't settle before an arbitrator makes his decision (if it gets to arbitration) 48 hours after the hearing, Haula will be awarded a one-year deal between $775,000 and $1.2 million.
2. On Wednesday at 1 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium, the NHL will hold a news conference regarding the Feb. 21 Stadium Series game between the Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. Details about the alumni game, the game's logo and perhaps some ticket intel will be announced. Jerseys will be unveiled at a later time.
At the presser will be NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Wild owner Craig Leipold, Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka, Wild players Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek, a freshly-signed Haula, Mike Reilly and Jordan Schroeder, University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague, Blackhawks prez John McDonough and colleague Jay Blunk and Lou Nanne and Troy Murray representing the North Stars/Wild and Blackhawks alumni, respectively.
This is old hat for the Hawks, so Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Co. have something better to do and won't be in town for the presser.
Lunch will be served, so plenty of media will be in attendance.
3. Hockey Day Minnesota 2016, the 10th Hockey Day, was officially announced this morning in Duluth. The date will be Feb. 6 and the host site will be Bayfront Park, a beautiful place on Lake Superior where I recently watched Trampled by Turtles in concert.