Thanks to all who came out to today's Star Tribune Wild preview event, and thanks to Wes Walz and Anthony LaPanta for joining. If you want to see a replay, fast forward to about 20 minutes.
If you want to attend the Star Tribune pregame Chalk Talk with Walz and I before the Oct. 20 Wild vs. Maple Leafs game, click this link.
Also, I'll be on KFAN live in studio Tuesday at 9 a.m. and by phone from St. Louis on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
As long as the Wild doesn't pick a player up off waivers Tuesday or make a trade by Thursday's opener, it could be down to its maximum 23-player opening night roster that must be set by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
There's still the possibility for some tinkering, but the roster as of now includes rookie Joel Eriksson Ek, who seems like he'll make his NHL debut in St. Louis.
Goalie Alex Stalock was placed on waivers Monday bringing the Wild's roster size to 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. If Stalock clears (there are multiple goalies on waivers if San Jose's looking for a backup, including Montreal's Mike Condon), he'll be assigned to AHL Iowa.
Center Zac Dalpe cleared waivers, but he remains on the roster for now and could be an extra in St. Louis as long as the Wild doesn't pluck a guy off waivers Tuesday.
Some interesting forwards on waivers include Detroit's Teemu Pulkkinen (coming off shoulder surgery, but a big minor-league scorer and scored vs. the Wild a few years ago, $825K salary cap), the Islanders' P.A. Parenteau (skilled, shootout specialist, but $1.25 million) and Columbus' Gregory Campbell (gritty, but $1.5 million).
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