Minnesota Wild 2012 Season Grades: Goalie Corps

We aren't setting out to change minds or change the culture of blaming the goalie for everything, but we will certainly still mock those who do. Next time a goalie leads the power play, give us a call.

Nathan- 2.65 GAA (13th), 92.2 GAA, both above the league average means this goalie crew isn't spectacular (unlike St. Louis) or terrible (unlike Toronto or Tampa Bay).

Grade: B-

Bryan- How dare the Wild goaltenders give up two goals in a single game so often? Clearly they missed the memo. Somebody get them a copy of the memo. The Wild's goalie were superb all year. I see no reason to dock them for one or two games where they may have had off nights.

Grade: B+

JS- The team GAA is 2.65, good for 13th in the league. Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding and Matt Hackett had a SV% of 0.918, 0.917 and 0.922 respectively. The Wild allowed the 4th highest number of shots in the league and were dead last in shots on their opponents. The goalies, despite a bumpy middle of season, were downright heroic this season. Of course injuries and inconsistency at some points could have been toned down, but really, anyone who blames the goalies and/or their ''regression to the mean'' for this season is a friggin' fool.

Goalies can't be in charge of the offense. They can't be in charge of starting the breakout (although they can help). They can't be responsable for the Wild dressing 80% of the AHL team on their roster (there may be a slight exaggeration). So basically, if a goalie needs to allow 0-1 goals per game for the team to win, they can't be blamed when they allow 2 nor can they be blamed when they allow 0-1 and lose anyway.

Grade: B