Minnesota Wild: 5 Goalies to Target Via Trade
Jan 8, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie
Niklas Backstrom(32) makes a save during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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The Minnesota Wild goalies have been atrocious this season. The team has plenty of other problems to be sure, but the goaltending has been the team’s Achilles’ Heel. Awhile back, I detailed the struggles of Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom. Somehow, the picture is even more bleak since then. The goaltending has continued to be inadequate. The past two games have been glaring examples. Against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, Kuemper allowed four goals, all of which could be considered fairly soft. Last night, the Wild outshot the Chicago Blackhawks 44-20, yet lost yet again 4-2, in a game when Backstrom played. To compound things, Kuemper is out for at least a week with the always mysterious “lower-body injury”. For this team to make the playoffs, a change is necessary between the pipes. According to Wild beat writer for the Star Tribune Michael Russo, the Wild are currently exploring their options. I will now examine and give my opinions on the available goalies on the market.
Next: Marty Brodeur