No prognosis yet on Josh Harding’s ankle injury. Fletcher/Yeo will meet with him today. #mnwild is very “frustrated” over injury
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 17, 2014
Upset Yeo on Nik Backstrom:My full attention is on that guy right there. He’s the one who is here, he’s the one who put in the work #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 17, 2014
Yeo on Harding:I’m frustrated.I’m disappointed for our guys that we’re here b4 Day 1 of camp & this is what we’re talking about #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 17, 2014
Yeo on #mnwild-Kuemper standoff: I’m very frustrated about that to be honest with you. We’re doing what we can here.
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) September 17, 2014
Here’s how things currently sit:
-- Harding, injured doing something off-ice, is hurt badly enough that Fletcher said it’s “not short term.”
-- Kuemper, an unsigned RFA, is playing hardball (demanding a one-way deal) and apparently entertaining KHL offers.
-- Backstrom, suddenly the lone man in goal, is 36 years old and coming off surgery to an ailing core muscle, an injury that limited him to just 21 appearances last season.
So yeah, it’s not surprising tYeo hates what’s transpired. His club took a major step last season, winning a playoff round for the first time since 2003, and made a big splash in free agency by inking Thomas Vanek... but this goaltending issue could really derail things.
As it stands, the Wild will head into training camp with Backstrom and minor-league journeyman John Curry in goal, and Fletcher said he can’t -- or won’t -- let the Harding injury affect negotiations with Kuemper.