Cooke cleared waivers Friday and will be granted his unconditional release, making him a free agent, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Cooke will be able to speak with other teams once the NHL's free agency window begins, and at this point it's unlikely the 36-year-old is back in Minnesota next season. He appeared in only 29 games in 2014-15, registering only 10 points.

The Wild placed Cooke on unconditional waivers on Monday, which indicates they will likely buy out the final year of his contract, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports. It isn't a huge shock, as Cooke's best years are likely behind him. The winger turns 37 years old in September, and only suited up for 29 games this season, registering a total of ten points in those contests.

Cooke replaced Sean Bergenheim in Friday's Game 5 win over St. Louis and had two shots on goal and four hits in 10:30 of ice time. Cooke and Bergenheim may continue to swap places between the bench and the fourth line the rest of the series.

Cooke is slated to be among the Wild's lineup scratches Monday against Blues, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Along with Cooke, Erik Haula, Jordan Schroeder and Ryan Carter are slated to be scratched Monday, while Sean Bergenheim and Justin Fontaine are in line to join the team's Game 3 lineup. Cooke saw 10:27 worth of ice time in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Blues.

Cooke will suit up on Saturday for Game 2 of the Wild's first-round playoff matchup with St. Louis, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Cooke hasn't played since Feb. 1, and has been plagued by injury for much of the season. He leads the Wild in career playoff games (103), and will add a veteran presence to Minnesota's lineup.

Cooke (undisclosed) won't play in Game 2 of the first-round playoff matchup with St. Louis, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Cooke, who last played Feb. 1, was activated from injured reserve Tuesday and then had a setback unrelated his previous sports hernia injury. He may be healthy enough to play, but the Wild are going to use the same fourth line (Sean Bergenheim, Kyle Brodziak and Justin Fontaine) as Game 1.

Cooke (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 1 against the Blues, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. After sitting out Tuesday's practice, Cooke was able to get back on the ice for Wednesday's session, but was limited to no-contact work. While Cooke will miss the Wild's playoff opener, coach Mike Yeo acknowledged that there's a good possibility that the winger could suit up for Game 2 on Saturday. The team will monitor Cooke's progress over the next few days before making a decision on his status for that game.

Cooke missed Tuesday's practice due to what was described as "discomfort," Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Coach Mike Yeo said Cooke was being viewed as a "possibility" for Thursday's Game 1 against the Blues, though the winger likely wouldn't play if he's not quite 100 percent healthy. Yeo indicated Cooke's absence was unrelated to his prior sports hernia surgery, from which he returned last week for the Wild's final two regular-season contests.

Cooke (sports hernia) will return to the lineup Thursday against the Predators. Cooke, who last played Feb. 1, was activated from injured reserve Tuesday, but sat out the Wild's victory over the Blackhawks. The physical winger looks to be fully recovered from the procedure that cost him over two months of action, and he should have the chance to reclaim a regular role in the Wild's bottom-six ranks heading into the playoffs. He's been limited to just 27 games due to injury this season.

Cooke (sports hernia) will not play Tuesday against the Blackhawks. Cooke practiced with the Wild during Tuesday's morning skate and was later activated from IR, but it looks like his return may have to wait until one of the team's final two regular-season games. His next chance to play will come Thursday in Nashville.