Cal Clutterbuck Practicing with Minnesota Wild

Feb 17, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (52) hits Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck (22) during the first period at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Red Wings 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, forward Cal Clutterbuck has resumed practicing with the Minnesota Wild. This comes four days after skating for the first time since his injury incurred by 2010 1^st overall draft pick Taylor Hall in a February 21^st game against the Oilers in Edmonton. Both Clutterbuck and Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo expect to see him in a Wild sweater as the team takes on the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.

Yeo had Clutterbuck skating on a line with Kyle Brodziak and Dany Heatley. Clutterbuck said his thigh felt fine, but that he is battling stiffness. “I had some other stuff going on in my leg, too…It’s a progression. Three days ago it was tough to get through…but today I felt good.” My gut says either Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Mikael Granlund or Zenon Konopka sits. Konopka has been in Yeo’s doghouse lately, but his physicality could be a major asset against a tough Predators squad. If Clutterbuck is healthy, don’t be surprised to see Wild GM Chuck Fletcher make a trade, because both Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker are playing too good to send down anytime soon. If he does, you can bet Bouchard will be the man on the block, as he no longer has a future in Minnesota with the emergence of the young guns.

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Canadian country-folk legend Stompin’ Tom Connors, 77, passed away Wednesday of natural causes. Connors was best known not “The Hockey Song”, also known as “The Good Old Hockey Game”. You can listen to it here below. Gone Puck Wild, along with the rest of the hockey world, extends our deepest and heart-felt condolences to his family and friends.