Speculation: Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding, Darcy Kuemper, and Johan Gustafsson, OH MY!

[thestonedkoala]

With Matt Hackett being traded, it appears that it is imperative that Minnesota now signs Backstrom to at least a 2 year extension. I don't think Harding will be back next year and will retire, pushing either Gustafsson or Kuemper to backup for the rest of the year. So the question now is, when and how much is Backstrom going to come back for? And can Minnesota now afford to lose him?

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[IHaveNoCreativity]

I think we go after a vet like Khabibulin... Let Kuemper get a feel for the league.

 

[Fel 96]

Khabibulin?

No...

 

[Mumbler*]

With Matt Hackett being traded, it appears that it is imperative that Minnesota now signs Backstrom to at least a 2 year extension. I don't think Harding will be back next year and will retire, pushing either Gustafsson or Kuemper to backup for the rest of the year. So the question now is, when and how much is Backstrom going to come back for? And can Minnesota now afford to lose him?

Hopefully it goes something like.

Backs - 2 years, probably 1 good of those two. Kuemper backup, press for job, Gustafsson press job 2 years after Keumper has taken role. Have another stud in minors and trade for more awesomeness?

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Khabibulin?

No...

Insert vet goalie with 500 games or a very cheap Backstrom. (2M)

 

[BigT2002]

Could see Backstrom getting a 3 year deal at around $4

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Backstrom: 2 years $7m. Kuemper backup. Gustafsson AHL starter. Re-evaluate next summer.

 

[BigT2002]

^^^

I'm okay with that

 

[Kaptain]

Backstrom: 2 years $7m. Kuemper backup. Gustafsson AHL starter. Re-evaluate next summer.

Most likely scenario.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Exactly. Backstrom will be re-signed no problem. He's not going to demand $7 million/year or anything. He'll probably re-sign for something around $4.5 million/year for 2-3 years. If I were Chuck, I would offer 3 years at $12 million/year ($5 mil, then $4 mil, then $3 mil). Worst case scenario you have to trade Backstrom and somebody will take a flier on him at $3 million that last year.

Harding is gone. Sad to say, but true.

Kuemper and Gustafsson will have plenty of time to develop and fight for the starting job.

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

Just gonna throw it out there, because I'm starting to think it may actually happen. I think we keep Harding and go with him and Backs again next season. We only get one amnesty buyout per each off-season over the next two off-seasons correct? Use one on Heatley this off-season then use it on whomever the following off-season.

Have Kuemper and Gustafsson battle it out for the starting job in Houston next season, just like Hackett and Kuemper did this season.

As for Backstrom's next contract, I'm guessing around 2 years at 8 million.

I just have a feeling that once he gets on the right meds, Harding will be fine.

 

[Kaptain]

Harding isn't exactly good when healthy, soooo

 

[Fel 96]

Harding isn't exactly good when healthy, soooo

Huh?

 

[Kaptain]

Huh?

Harding. Not that good. When healthy.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Are we penalized if Harding retires ? Which I think is likely...

If we're going to pun for Vanek... We can't bring back Cullen or Bouchard...

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

Harding. Not that good. When healthy.

So you're going to judge all 2 of his games this season as his current level of play?

He's one of the better back-ups in the league, you should know that.

 

[Fel 96]

Don't even bother.

He's a huge Backstrom fan after all.

 

[Avder]

I remember the last couple of years I was so eager to jettison Backstrom when someone else was getting hot.

I have no point to make with this post.

 

[Kaptain]

So you're going to judge all 2 of his games this season as his current level of play?

He's one of the better back-ups in the league, you should know that.

Nah, not just this season. I'm okay with him in limited action, but a 1a/1b thing would fail miserably. And I think Kuemps is probably just as good.

Don't even bother.

He's a huge Backstrom fan after all.

Well, that means nothing at all. So nice try.

 

[Fel 96]

Yea whatever dude.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

If we're trying to transition to Kuemper does it make sense to pay Backstrom 4M too play him in 50 games ?

Should we use that money elsewhere ?

 

[Haite]

If we're trying to transition to Kuemper does it make sense to pay Backstrom 4M too play him in 50 games ?

Should we use that money elsewhere ?

I hope you're not suggesting going into a season with a 23-year-old starter, who's yet to even solidify his position as an NHL back-up. Because that would be... something.

 

[mezcal]

Don't forgot Deslauriers, he is our future number one goaltender.

 

[MuckOG]

I hope Harding can contribute, but I'll need to see it to believe it. And even if he comes out and looks decent, his medical condition will always be the elephant in the room. With MS, you can be fine one day and the next day you have symptoms flair up again. You never really know what's going to happen.

I know this through personal experience. A good friend of mine from the Marine Corps came down with it while we were room mates...and the father of another friend of mine passed away due to MS a few years ago, but I watched him battle that disease for about 20 years.

 

[BigT2002]

I wish Josh the best, but I would put him on the LTIR and call it a day. We don't need to buy him out in order to take his salary off the cap.