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.

Feb 7, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zenon Konopka (28) reacts after being ejected from the game during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Canucks defeated the Wild 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, Taylor Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, did not skate with the Oilers in practice this morning. Hall (sore hamstring) hasn’t played since he left the Oilers’ matchup with the Blues earlier this week. Minnesota Wild fans will have to wait until Tuesday April 16^th for any retribution—if there is indeed any coming to Mr. Hall. According to Wild center Kyle Brodziak, “We want to move on, focus on the game…just let it be.”

With the absence of Hall, Wild enforcer Zenon Konopka will sit as Minnesota’s only healthy forward scratch, meaning rookie center Mikael Granlund will find his way back into the lineup. Justin Falk will be back in the lineup, with Nate Prosser coming out. Cal Clutterbuck skated on his own for the first time since his injury, but will miss his fifth straight game. Clutterbuck is listed as day-to-day with a thigh contusion.

Minnesota is focused on winning, not on the past. However, even with Konopka sitting in the press box, Mike Rupp, Clayton Stoner and Justin Falk are a few guys not afraid to drop the gloves if it comes to that. As you can tell by the video below, Mike Rupp is no Boogaard, but he certainly knows how to clean a clock.