Harding out for year

[Scott M]

Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Wild backup goalie Josh Harding has torn the ACL and MCL in his right knee and is likely out for the rest of the season, according to the team. He will undergo reconstructive surgery on the ACL after his MCL heals a bit.

When Erik Johnson tore his ACL and MCL in 2008, he was given a 6-to-9 month timetable. I talked to St. Louis Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford, and he said Johnson didn't start skating until the following June after the injury took place in September. Johnson did wait a few months for surgery so his MCL would heal.

"I heard the pop. I kind of went into shock. ... I was hoping it wasn't this," said Harding, who said he's not ruling out a return this season. "It's going to be a battle. I'm ready to take on that battle."

Harding was injured Friday night in the first period of the Wild's exhibition game in St. Louis when forward Brad Boyes accidentally fell on his leg.

For now, Anton Khudobin, who will start tomorrow's game in Montreal, will back up Niklas Backstrom. GM Chuck Fletcher will be available tonight. He did tell me he's committed to keeping Dennis Endras in Germany this season. He's 5-1 with Augsburger. But Fletcher said Endras will fly to Finland for a few days to be the Wild's backup goalie.

But I really don't think the Wild's going to react immediately by acquiring somebody to replace Harding. I could be wrong, of course. But this just happened, so I'd think instead of making a rash decision, Fletcher and his staff will watch Khudobin and give him a chance. Then, if he can't do it, they react. Of course, I'll ask Fletcher his thoughts tonight.

But Khudobin's been an AHL All-Star, he brought Houston to the conference finals two years ago and he was good in his two appearances last year.

Said coach Todd Richards on Harding: "This is a big blow to him and a big blow to us."

"You could see it on his face last night sitting on the table and his leg wrapped up and then on the planeride home. I think you can tell a lot about the extent of the injury because the player knows. They’re so in tune with their bodies. Just his demeanor, you could see how down he was. I was definitely hoping for the best, but kind of expecting the worst just how he was."

Niklas Backstrom: "It’s more than teammates – it’s your friend, your family – so for sure it’s tough to see your teammate go down."

Anton Khudobin on last year: "It was an unbelievable experience for my life and for my career. It was a really good couple games, and I feel I could play at this level."

Harding on Khudobin: "I think he’s an NHL goalie for sure. From the limited time I’ve seen him, he handles himself really good. I know him. He’s a really good person, wants to learn, hard worker, and he’ll definitely help this club."

[jwhjr]

Tough break for him and the team. The season sure seems to be starting off on a bad note. It looks like it may be a rough one...

[scsavre]

There might have went my plan of trading Backstrom and having Harding and Khoudin fight for the spot.

[bucketmouth64]

I watched the game and it was nasty how it happened. Nothing cheap about it, just part of the game and he was unfortunate how he was positioned and how players fell on top of him. I knew it was either going to be a knee or hip. Hope his recovery goes well. With this happenening Wild will be weaker at goalie without a strong backup like Harding. I guess D has to step up and help out goalies.

[Bear55]

]There might have went my plan of trading Backstrom and having Harding and Khoudin fight for the spot.

I was kind of hoping for the same thing, not a good start to the year so far.

[spearchucker]

The whole team looked terrible that game. I've seen more structured play in Squirt hockey. Hopefully once we get the lineups set things will settle down. There are a lot of guys trying to make the team.

They looked 100% better against the Flyers Saturday night.

[scsavre]

We did look better, but it was a team without there top 6 or so guys.

We should get better and better. We stay healthy and we have a chance. I still think there is a pretty big piece of the puzzle missing though.