The Minnesota Wild has agreed to terms with three players on one-year contracts Friday.
The most notable signing is goaltender Wade Dubielewicz. He played last season for the Kazan Ak-Bars in the Kontinental Hockey League before playing three games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 30-year-old former Denver University goaltender has posted a 2.64 goals against average and .916 save percentage in 40 NHL games with the Blue Jackets and New York Islanders.
The Wild signed Dubielewicz as insurance if it is able to trade Josh Harding or if he signs elsewhere. Wild fans should not read too much into this, Harding is still a member of the Wild. The Wild needed a goaltender to fill the role of the emergency goalie, who will play most of the season in the AHL and be called up when needed.
The other two signings for the Wild are Jon DiSalvatore and Duncan Milroy.
DiSalvatore, a 28-year-old native of Maine, played collegiately at Providence College. He had his best season with the Peoria Rivermen, the top affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, in 2005-2006 with 22 goals and 45 assists for 67 points. He spent last season with the Lowell Devils, the top affiliate of the New Jersey Devils.
Milroy, a 26-year-old native of Alberta, spent last season with Ingolstadt ERC of the German DEL. He had his best season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, in 2006-2007 with 25 goals and 33 assists for 58 points.
All three players should play next season for the Houston Aeros.
Comments
Yes Harding is still a member of the Wild but not for long. I predict that he'll be traded before the regular season starts. He'll never go back to minor he's ready for #1 duty now.
If the Wild find a suitable trade, he will be traded. I hope Chuck Fletcher does not just pull the trigger to make the trade. If the Wild keep Harding, he will be the starting goaltender for the Wild by the end of the season. Backstrom is a good goaltender, but Harding is a better goaltender. He will be better in an aggressive system. There is no question that Harding will not go to the minors. The question is whether or not he will be the Wild's backup or someone else's starter.
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