Wild Sign Josh Harding to Three-Year Deal

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Josh Harding to a three-year contract extension worth $5.7 million.  The deal will average out to $1.9 million per season.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1.  In 34 games this past season, he posted a 13-12-4 record, two shutouts, a 2.62 GAA, and a .917 save percentage.  Not a bad move for the Wild, as Harding has developed into a solid backup goalie for the club.  He has good size and some upside to take on a starting goaltender role.  More than likely, he will play backup to Niklas Backstrom once again next season, which will allow prospect Matt Hackett to develop his game a little more in the minors.