By Bryan Reynolds -
No big deal, right? Goalie was hurt, backup comes in. What's the big deal?
Awesome.
So now what? What are the options? Put Hackett out there and let Paul Deutsch be the backup? Don't laugh, it might just happen. Why? The options are limited. Looking at the 2011 free agent class of goalies, there are a few players still "out there."
Winning isn't the big concern here, as much as safety. Is Deutsch honestly capable of playing in the NHL? Are ECHL goalies? Are they ready to take a 100+ mph slapper from the point? Ready to take the Tomas Holmstroms and Ryan Smyths of the world crashing into them? No one wants one of these guys to be signed to something just to be made into a side show.
It may not matter. Maybe Harding's injury isn't serious, and he can be the backup on Sunday. Maybe. The Wild may not have the chance to wait to see. If the waiver process has to be implemented, the Wild need to act today in order to have a goalie cleared by Sunday's game.
It is just as likely the Wild suit up Harding, and pray Hackett makes it through the game. In fact, unless the doctors say he can't go under any circumstance, you are safe in betting that's what they do. But what fun is that?
What is your plan E, Wilderness? How about Plan F?
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