wild/nhl

Harding has shown talent and earned the opportunity to seize the number 1 position. I would support Fletcher's decision to resign him. However, a no trade clause should not be part of the multiyear deal in this case, I don't think. Reason: with the possibility of Hackett coming up the year after next and since Harding has shown potential but hasn't actually shouldered the starting position for a full year (in that sense he is mildly untested) it would be safer to have the flexibility to move him for other assets if the need arose. This way we can keep all our options in net while maintaining strength between the pipes for a few years to come.

Pending big-bucks free agent Zach Parise playing and Harding not? Freaky injury, or should we say freaky injuries, untimely poor play? A potential number one goalie for the first tine at 29 years old? I know some Minnesotans are beside themselves when he says he wants to stay here. But I am not from here. Plus don't all players say they want to stay with their current team Russo? Parise wants to stay in New Jersey? Send him packing and groom Hackett as back-up. All the good young goaltenders in the NHL became number ones in their early to mid 20's, not just about 30. Send Harding packing.

Sing him. It just makes too much sense. I mean, Hackett isn't ready to be a number one in '13-14, so you'll have to find someone anyway. Just keep Josh and save yourself the hassle. It's not like you're going to re-sign Backstrom; I think everyone would agree he's fleeced us enough already--that contract has been a nightmare.

Haven't heard anything about Matt Kassian recently. He's to be UFA. Resign him!

mgala, when a player says he wants to stay with his home team but wants to test free agency, like Parise and Suter are saying, it's posturing. They need to be able to take a new job or chose to stay with their old team without offending. Josh Harding, by contrast, appears to be having specific discussions about what he wants in a contract with the Wild. I take that to mean that he would like to get a deal done but one that is amenable to his future as a professional goaltender.

I'd like to see Harding stay with the Wild, but I find it a little odd that he would rather stay with a team that has a couple possible number one's waiting in the wings instead of testing the market and signing with a team that definitely needs a number one and would be willing to give him a long term deal.

Should have traded Backs when we had the chance and could have dumped his salary. Too late now.

sign him to a 2 year deal at the most. since backstrom in an UFA after next year they may be able to trade him at the deadline. move Harding to #1 and bring up a kid. Harding gets his shot and if he sucks after given his chance move him back to #2.

Strib is slow to report but the Wild signed Harding to a 3 year deal today.