WildHBcommunity: MNWild Why There is No Room for Bryz in Minnesota
The Minnesota Wild has Both of Top Netminders Returning Healthy this Fall
Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom have been members of the Minnesota Wild organization for 10 and 8 years respectively. Harding was a second round selection of the team in the 2002 NHL draft while Backstrom was a European free agent signing in 2006 that seized the opportunity to fill the void between the pipes when Manny Fernandez went down with a knee injury.
It was rumored for years after Backstrom became the #1 netminder for the Wild that the heir apparent to his job would be Harding who had paid his dues in Houston successfully. Harding had been unable to string together enough consistent NHL playing time and health to completely unseat the veteran Finn though. Last season Harding entered as the Wild's top netminder on the depth chart finally despite a shocking diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and battle to manage the symptoms and side effects of it.
It has been stated that Harding and Backstrom are healthy and ready to go for 2014-15, but I realize a lot of Wild fans will take that with a grain of salt. What I think people need to understand is both Harding and Backstrom are under contract on one way deals for 2014-15 so if they both intend to wear a Wild sweater and lineup between the pipes, well then Fletcher has to adjust accordingly.
I think that Darcy Kuemper and his agent realize that with two veteran goalies under contract already for the Wild, he might already be penciled in for some games in Iowa to begin the 2014-15. Kuemper is still unsigned and although he is a restricted free agent he could explore other options should the contract stalemate extend into the regular season.
I honestly believe at this point Harding and Backstrom are the strongest combination and the smart move for the Wild to begin the 2014-15 NHL season IF both are healthy and capable of playing. I only say that because Kuemper is BEST served by being in the lineup consistently and if he is blocked by these two veterans on the NHL roster then some AHL time with a much improved Des Moines squad could be a huge boost for the young goalie.
Josh Harding
Position: G ▪ Catches: Right
Height: 6-2 (188 cm) ▪ Weight: 202 lbs. (92 kg)
Born: June 18, 1984 (Age 30.071) in Regina, Saskatchewan
Draft: Minnesota, 2nd round (38th overall), 2002 NHL Entry
Contract: 3 years/$5,700,000
2014-15 Cap Hit: $1,900,000.00
I am firmly in the corner of Harding when it comes to him getting every opportunity to fulfill his NHL dreams as the #1 netminder for the Minnesota Wild. The adversity he has faced beyond his battle with MS has been unbelievable. Harding missed 19 months with two separate surgeries before his MS diagnosis. Harding even shunned the open market despite being regarded as the top unrestricted free agent backstop in 2011 because he stated he wanted to return to the Wild to accomplish his goal of becoming the #1 here in Minnesota.
I think Wild fans want nothing more than to see Harding return to the form this year that saw him start last season as the best goalie in the NHL through the first two months of the 2013-14 season. Unfortunately Wild fans also realize that Harding can be afflicted with symptoms and complications of MS that have sidelined him for extended periods of time.
Harding definitely deserves the opportunity to continue his NHL career and when healthy I am confident that he is the best netminder the Wild have in the organization. I think honest truth is though that nobody to include Harding himself can guarantee the 30 year old netminder will put together a full NHL season healthy and productive. Maybe he doesn't need to play full time this year though especially with Backstrom in the mix and Kuemper waiting in the wings.
Niklas Backstrom
Position: G ▪ Catches: Left
Height: 6-2 (188 cm) ▪ Weight: 194 lbs. (88 kg)
Born: February 13, 1978 (Age 36.196) in Helsinki, Finland
Contract: 3 years/$10,250,000
2014-15 Cap Hit: $3,416,666.67
I realize the Minnesota Wild fanbase especially the casual types and those new to the party probably don't hold a high opinion of Niklas Backstrom given how brutal he was last season or his absence due to injury when it mattered the previous season come playoff time. That doesn't change the fact the Wild organization holds him in such high regard both on and off the ice. It also does change the fact that the 36 years old goalie when healthy, has been the best netminder in franchise history since coming over from the Finnish Elite League for the 2006-07 NHL season.
Backstrom signed a contract for $10.25 million over three years a month before he could have tested the free agent market in 2013. At the time of the signing Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher was quoted as saying "It just made too much sense not to re-sign him," which obviously on this side of it seems like putting the cart before the horse. Fletcher has many times in the past couple months pointed at Backstrom's tying for the league lead in wins with 24 in the lockout shortened 2012-13 season.
Reality is even though injuries robbed Backstrom of the 2012-13 playoffs and most of the 2013-14 season, the truth seems to reflect that father time has finally caught up to the Finnish backstop as he is no longer the type of goalie that can suffocate opposing offenses. Backstrom's reflexes and agility were noticeably affected last season in his 21 games. Whether or not Backstrom ever returns to 100% health or the top of his game really is in doubt but at this point he is signed through next season and his age makes the contract full guaranteed.
The rub of it is though that Backstrom seems to be a perfect backup to both Harding and Kuemper as he can make spot starts and his experience and presence is a very important to the Wild organization. Backstrom almost certainly will be tied to the organization forever not unlike other valued storied veterans like Wes Walz, Andrew Brunette, and Darby Hendrickson.
Beyond shear performance and the hockey business bottom line, on Fletcher must deftly handle the present and future of Backstrom so as not to ruin a great relationship and legacy that pre-dates the current regime. I realize we all view Fletcher's signing of Backstrom to be a major misstep on this side of it but because the deal is a one-way and guaranteed because of his age, short of a trade he is here to stay.
Darcy Kuemper
Position: G ▪ Catches: Left
Height: 6-5 (196 cm) ▪ Weight: 205 lbs. (93 kg)
Born: May 5, 1990 (Age 24.115) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Draft: Minnesota, 6th round (161st overall), 2009 NHL Entry
Contract: 3 years/$2,700,000
2014-15 Cap Hit: $900,000.00
In my view Kuemper has done just about everything in his power to prove he not only has a future as an NHL netminder but that he is a future #1 in the league. Last season Kuemper showed great poise and confidence down the stretch for the Wild between the pipes stealing victories and playing extremely confident. He also had a couple rough patches and lost time eventually to a concussion in the playoffs.
Kuemper may only have 21 regular season and 6 playoff games under his belt but he certainly has proven that his rise from late round draft choice to major netminder prospect is no fluke. This a big kid that when he is at the top of his game plays at the top of the crease challenging opponents with his fiery competitive demeanor. Kuemper was able to dominate the Western Hockey League and then beat out fellow prospect and the more heralded Matt Hackett in Houston.
Kuemper and his agent realize that under the current roster conditions, he may have to begin the year in Des Moines. Certainly Kuemper and his agent want to cash in on the Wild's perceived vulnerability at the goalie position matched with his performance last season when the team looked to be in very deep trouble. Kuemper even before he signed with the Wild to his entry level deal leveraged the organization to the max.
I think Kuemper will re-sign with the Wild and his role should be solidified by the end of the year in at minimum a time share with either Harding and Backstrom. I view Kuemper as the goalie of the future for this franchise and I think Fletcher does as well. As long as Harding and Backstrom are healthy and able this season well it just gives Kuemper more time to build his confidence and consistency at the AHL level.
The unknown on Kuemper is what exactly he and his agent are looking for money and term wise so there is always a chance it could get silly but I expect he is signed before the regular season begins.
Ilya Bryzgalov
Position: G ▪ Catches: Left
Height: 6-3 (190 cm) ▪ Weight: 213 lbs. (97 kg)
Born: June 22, 1980 (Age 34.067) in Togliatti, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Draft: Anaheim, 2nd round (44th overall), 2000 NHL Entry
Contract: 9 years/$51,000,000
2014-15 Cap Hit: $5,666,666.67
Anyone that follows me or reads my content knows how pleased I was that Fletcher avoided major packages for Ryan Miller or Jaroslav Halak. Hell I was even flabberghasted at the FALSE rumors that Marty Brodeur was on his way to the State of Hockey because honestly he just has not been very good lately despite his legendary career. I was so appreciative of how low risk high reward the acquisition of Ilya Bryzgalov was for the Wild giving up just a 4th round pick to add the charismatic veteran.
Bryzgalov came to the Wild and beyond his performance on the ice, he was able to affect and influence a very young team to the benefit of his teammates and the organization. Bryzgalov was a solid citizen and his on the ice performance reflected that he is still capable of competing at the NHL level.
With regard to a future with the Wild organization, I am not sure how the veteran Russian backstop fits into the team's plans unless they again face the catastrophic set of circumstances like last year that saw them lose two of their top three netminders to long term absences. Bryzgalov has been very vocal about his desire to return and his willingness to accommodate salary and role wise to make it a reality.
I am not going to say there is zero chance of Bryzgalov returning to the Wild because what last season taught us is how unstable the position can be for this team. I will say that I don't see a fit as of now because he would be behind Harding, Backstrom, and Kuemper on the depth chart if all three return healthy. Bryzgalov may even be willing to spend time in Iowa but currently Johan Gustafsson and John Curry are slated to be the duo for the Baby Wild. Also upon the re-signing of Kuemper he probably begins the season in Iowa as well.
Bryzgalov was a fun story and he did about everything in his power to give the Wild a chance to make a deep playoff run last year but unless things change from the current state of affairs I don't see a fit for him here in Minnesota or Iowa for that matter.
That's all for now thanks for reading!
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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