The slumping Wild made a flurry of moves this morning, following Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Calgary.
First, after a two-game conditionin stint with the AHL’s Houston Aeros, the Wild recalled goalie Josh Harding to the big club. The Star Tribune reports this was the plan all along, to have Harding — who is battling Multiple sclerosis — back up Niklas Backstrom in the upcoming NHL playoffs.
“I’m just happy to be back,” Harding told reporters after the morning skate.
Harding, 28, has played in just four games this season — compiling a 1-1 record, including a 1-0 shutout of Dallas on Jan. 20. In his two games with the Aeros, Harding went 1-1-0, stopping 56-of-61 shots faced for a 3.00 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
Harding’s promotion meant a demotion for backup Darcy Kuemper, who was reassigned to Houston.
Also sent down: Wild rookies Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund. Both will be replaced on the roster by forwards Jake Dowell and Stephane Veilleux.
Dowell, who signed as a free agent with the Wild last summer, has four goals and five assists in 37 games with Houston this season.
Veilleux, who joined the Wild last year in a trade with New Jersey, has three goals and five assits in 33 games with the Aeros this year.
