The Minnesota Wild today activated goaltender Josh Harding from injured reserve and then placed him on waivers.
#mnwild has activated Josh Harding from Injured Reserve and placed him on waivers.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 17, 2014
Harding hitting the waiver wire doesn’t mean he’s done in Minnesota. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune doesn’t believe Harding will be claimed by another team.
“I cannot imagine Harding is claimed off waivers. Not only is his health an uncertainty and not only hasn’t he played in almost 11 months, the other 29 teams don’t have the experience of how to deal with his MS.”
If Harding clears waivers he’ll join the Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Iowa Wild, in Des Moines. But because he broke his foot just days before training camp began, and his multiple sclerosis put an end to his 2013-14 season just after Christmas, he won’t be going to the AHL for a short conditioning stint. He’s still a long way from being game ready.
It's not a conditioning stint for Josh Harding. He hasn't played in 11 months so he'll be there until he's NHL ready.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 17, 2014
The Wild also lifted the team suspension it imposed on Harding for breaking his foot when he reportedly kicked a wall. Harding’s injury opened the door for 24-year-old Darcy Kuemper to take the reigns as Minnesota’s No. 1 goalie.
Minnesota has won three consecutive games and is back on the ice Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
