NHL Rumors: Decisions Looming On Starting Goalies
By Adam Savard
Minnesota Wild
May 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) makes a save during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
What once was a position of strength for the Wild now comes with questions. Devan Dubnyk went from league punching bag in Arizona and Edmonton to Vezina Trophy finalist in Minnesota. Amazing what a little defensive support can do for a career.
Dubnyk’s play helped send the Wild into the second round of the playoffs, but now decisions need to be made. The Wild had four goaltenders with periods of success starting in-goal. One of those, Josh Harding, appears ready to announce his retirement. With all he continues to battle, I wish him luck in his fight and the best of health going forward. The remaining three will be subject of NHL rumors for the whole offseason.
Nicklas Backstrom is 37 and appeared in only 19 games this past year. While his cap hit at just over $3.4 million is reasonable, his .887 save percentage last year was awful. Would a team take that contract for a short-term veteran back-up?
Then there’s Darcy Kuemper, who at 25 has shown flashes of brilliance. He also has one year left on his deal before his restricted free agent year. I have to believe the Wild like Kuemper, but is he ready to carry the load if the team doesn’t resign Dubnyk?
I expect the Wild to be involved with several NHL rumors involving goaltenders leading up to the draft. I believe they get a deal done with Dubnyk, around four years at close to Backstrom money. One of those years is already paid for should the Wild trade Backstrom, which I expect them to do before the season starts.
Look for a team like the New Jersey Devils or Arizona Coyotes to be interested, particularly Arizona. They have plenty of cap space and could use a back-up capable of twenty games so Mike Smith doesn’t have to kill himself playing 75 or more. And it’s a short-term deal so the price to acquire Backstrom would be minimal.
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