With the Wild roster all but set heading into September it is time to look at the roster by position.
We will start with the easiest position to sort out the depth chart, goaltending.
Devan Dubnyk has the net locked up for the foreseeable future, and by all accounts, rightfully so.
Yes Dubnyk has yet to find playoff success, but to place that blame solely on his shoulders is shortsighted and flat out not at all accurate.
Dubnyk is an upper echelon netminder as his statistics clearly state. Since coming to the Wild Dubnyk ranks at or near the top of the league in Games, Wins, Shutouts, Goals Against Average, and Save Percentage.
The numbers don't lie the Wild have one of the league's best goalies. Now could they use some organizational depth? of course and would that push Dubnyk to possibly be even better? Maybe, but the facts are when Dubnyk plays the lions share of the Wild games, he is at his very best.
Alex Stalock has solidified the backup position with his ability to come off the bench and step in as if he was playing every day. That is not an easy thing to do as we all know so well, having witnessed the struggles Darcy Kuemper experienced in his 2+years as Dubnyk's understudy.
Stalock is much more than just your typical back-up goalie though. He is an integral part of the team both on the ice and in the room. Stalock has been loved by teammates wherever he has played which makes him even that much more valuable. His mates will always battle for their goalie, but a guy like Stalock that compete just seems to be that much greater.
Stalock's style too is far different from that of Dubnyk as well, with his high energy and puck handling skills, he often operates as a third defenseman. That style and puck handling ability takes some adjustment by the Wild players when Stalock is between the pipes. Stalock has an infectious energy and has given Bruce Boudreau a better back-up option, but BB would like to trust him a bit more heading into this season.
Andrew Hammond was signed to a two way deal on July 1st, more for experience than as a real threat to Stalock for the backup job. I do not see Hammond having any shot at making the big club as his numbers and performance since his magical run back in 2015 have given us no glimpse that that run was nothing more than an aberration, that got Hammond a couple of additional contracts.
Kaapo Kahkonen the Wild 2014 fourth round pick is entering his first season in North America and 19 year old 6'6" Dereck Baribeau is beginning his first professional season. Hammond will serve as a very good mentor and again provide the Wild with experience should anything happen Dubnyk or Stalock.
Of course if there were any type of significant injury to either of the Wild goalies, Paul Fenton's hand would be forced to make a deal.
The Wild goaltending is pretty set, but that does not mean that the expectations are any less. Both Dubnyk and Stalock are expected to be better this season with a bit more consistency needed.
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