If Patrick Sharp were available - 32 years old, 3 years left, $5.9 million cap hit - any takers for him over Vanek? I think the last couple of blogs Jaeckel posted rumored Sharp to be available. And I believe it was reported Fletcher may have tried to get Sharp more than once. If Chicago really wants to move Sharp and try to land Kesler, is this a trade the Wild would want in on? It may depend what they would have to give up to get Kesler that would determine what they want back for Sharp. But maybe it could be done for a couple prospects.
- Chinaski

I think they ship him to east coast. I bet they shuffle their roster this summer. Oduya could go as well. I would rather have Vanek because of his local ties and no compensation then make a trade for a Suter partner like I did using CapGeek http://www.capgeek.com/ar...gation_id=288381481237582

I think they ship him to east coast. I bet they shuffle their roster this summer. Oduya could go as well. I would rather have Vanek because of his local ties and no compensation then make a trade for a Suter partner like I did using CapGeek http://www.capgeek.com/ar...gation_id=288381481237582
- Tony Dean

I'm just wondering if Sharp could be had for cheap. With Kane and Toews coming up for renewal and them possibly being able to land Kesler, they may want to make some room, cap-wise. But dealing him in the division may be something they want to avoid.
It intrigues me because the term and cap hit are where I'd be more comfortable with Vanek signing. And I think Sharp is more versatile.

I'm just wondering if Sharp could be had for cheap. With Kane and Toews coming up for renewal and them possibly being able to land Kesler, they may want to make some room, cap-wise. But dealing him in the division may be something they want to avoid.
It intrigues me because the term and cap hit are where I'd be more comfortable with Vanek signing. And I think Sharp is more versatile.
- Chinaski

I thought about too when I saw JJ's blog but honestly I am not sure I'd even want ship them assets. What would they take for him Dumba? Man I would hate to have a kid shipped there and be a constant reminder of what we had here.

Sharp plays both center and wing. He scores goals play a well rounded game. Takes two to tango on a trade. Bet he goes to east coast.

I think they ship him to east coast. I bet they shuffle their roster this summer. Oduya could go as well. I would rather have Vanek because of his local ties and no compensation then make a trade for a Suter partner like I did using CapGeek http://www.capgeek.com/ar...gation_id=288381481237582
- Tony Dean

You would really go with Kuemper and Harding as your goalies if you were GM?

I like Sharp, but I don't think he comes all that cheap and I highly doubt Bowman wants to send him to a divisional rival unless he's fleecing that team

You would really go with Kuemper and Harding as your goalies if you were GM?

I like Sharp, but I don't think he comes all that cheap and I highly doubt Bowman wants to send him to a divisional rival unless he's fleecing that team
- SotaPopinski

Yes if Harding was able to come in and convince that he is capable of providing the team with 30+ starts than I would have no problem with a time share between him and Kuemper. I dont have the opportunity to know where is he is at health wise or what it was that caused him to never return to action last season though.

Harding the first two months of the season fulfilled his potential and promise as a #1 at the NHL level. I trust Harding to be the #1 as long as his doctor/medical stuff comes back with an ability to manage his illness. If not maybe he is done with his playing career and it will be Kuemper/Backstrom which I am okay with as well.

Yes if Harding was able to come in and convince that he is capable of providing the team with 30+ starts than I would have no problem with a time share between him and Kuemper.
- Tony Dean

I wouldn't either, but there is no way he can guarantee that. Bottom line with Harding is that if you have him on the roster, you better have another goalie on the roster that you are comfortable with playing if he can't. And then you better have a guy that you can count on to backup Harding's backup in the event Harding goes out.

The problem with Harding is that it doesn't take a hockey injury to take him out of the lineup. So you basically need a minimum of three NHL capable goaltenders in the system.

Go try and get Sharp please CF, I was disappointed in what could have been last time the Wild tried.

I wouldn't either, but there is no way he can guarantee that. Bottom line with Harding is that if you have him on the roster, you better have another goalie on the roster that you are comfortable with playing if he can't. And then you better have a guy that you can count on to backup Harding's backup in the event Harding goes out.

The problem with Harding is that it doesn't take a hockey injury to take him out of the lineup. So you basically need a minimum of three NHL capable goaltenders in the system.
- Chinaski

We are in complete agreement.

I have an emotional attachment like I think all Wild fans do to Harding. I am always going to root for him no matter the uncertainty but I think Fletcher, Yeo, and Harding all have to commit to something before the season.

2 prominent scenarios in my mind the 1st being Harding retires retires/Long Term Injury List with Kuemper and Backstrom the 2nd is Harding convinces the team he is good to go and Backstrom gets traded so it is Harding and Kuemper to start the year.

I DONT see an outside goaltender scenario though it is going to be 2 of these 3.


Draft will give us glimpse of the shape of Fletcher's plan. I wonder if he swings for the fences.

Yes if Harding was able to come in and convince that he is capable of providing the team with 30+ starts than I would have no problem with a time share between him and Kuemper. I dont have the opportunity to know where is he is at health wise or what it was that caused him to never return to action last season though.

Harding the first two months of the season fulfilled his potential and promise as a #1 at the NHL level. I trust Harding to be the #1 as long as his doctor/medical stuff comes back with an ability to manage his illness. If not maybe he is done with his playing career and it will be Kuemper/Backstrom which I am okay with as well.
- Tony Dean

How does a guy with MS convince anyone of anything? He can make all of the empty promises that he wants, but the disease is going to dictate everything. I would be pretty disappointed to see them go with a Harding/Kuemper duo unless they have a more proven/experienced goalie than Gustafsson in Iowa next season.

the 2nd is Harding convinces the team he is good to go and Backstrom gets traded so it is Harding and Kuemper to start the year.
- Tony Dean

Here's what I don't like about that scenario - if Harding is healthy and plays at the level he did to start last year, how many games is Kuemper going to play? I think it's a mistake to have Kuemper sitting on the bench in a backup role. He needs to be playing a lot right now. I'd much rather have Backstrom backing up a healthy Harding with Kuemper being able to fill in from Iowa when needed.

If a Harding/Kuemper tandem would be used basically in a split manner - about 40 games each, maybe that would work. But I think Kuemper needs to be playing at least 60 games per year right now. And they don't all need to be in the NHL.