Well if he was back to his old form, we wouldn't be talking about buying him out/trading him.
It would be a hard choice, but if I were running the show, I would put Harding on waivers to start next year. Wild can't rely on him and need to re-sign Kuemper, plus have Backstrom signed for two more years. Harding could either retire if he doesn't want to play in Iowa, or maybe he gets picked up elsewhere, otherwise he could be a great mentor for Gustafsson.
I would be extremely, extremely surprised if the Wild signed a goalie this summer, outside of Kuemper.
It would be a hard choice, but if I were running the show, I would put Harding on waivers to start next year. Wild can't rely on him and need to re-sign Kuemper, plus have Backstrom signed for two more years. Harding could either retire if he doesn't want to play in Iowa, or maybe he gets picked up elsewhere, otherwise he could be a great mentor for Gustafsson.
I would be extremely, extremely surprised if the Wild signed a goalie this summer, outside of Kuemper.
I hope so too.Or, if Harding sees the writing on the wall, maybe the he would accept a different job within the organization ala Brunette and Bomber.
So Harding would essentially be next year's Rupp? Never plays, just takes up a roster spot and cap space?
I think it's more fair to him to put him on waivers and give him a chance to play elsewhere.
I believe Bäcks could still hold some value, if he makes a good recovery.
Why not..
LTIR Harding
Sign Bryz to a 2-3 year deal
Start the season with Bryz/Bäcks tandem
Showcase Bäcks a bit, trade him for whatever we can get
Continue with Bryz/Kuemper tandem.
Backstrom is schwag. Bryz for a 4th might be best deadline deal.
From Russo: Ilya Bryzgalov is the only goalie to get a point in his first 10 starts in Wild history,