Minnesota Wild Opens New Season in Detroit

Detroit, MI (Learfield News Service) - After a lengthy training camp featuring seven preseason games the Minnesota Wild are ready to drop the puck on the regular season  in Detroit Thursday night

The Wild open the season with five of their first six games on the road. The opener will be the first official game in the brand new Little Ceasars Arena which replaces Joe Louis Arena for the Red Wings.

Game time is 6:30 PM. 

The Wild has signed forward Daniel Winnik to a one-year, $680,000 contract. Winnik attended training camp on a professional tryout contract for the Wild, who is expected to be without fellow forward Zach Parise for at least the first two games as he nurses a back injury. Winnik notched one assist and had 15 shots on goal in five preseason contests for the Wild. The 32-year-old Ontario native is expected to skate on the fourth line with center Matt Cullen and right wing Tyler Ennis.

Winnik collected a career-high 12 goals, 13 assists and 49 penalty minutes in 72 games last season with the Washington Capitals.