No takers for Josh Harding has resulted in a trip to Iowa.
On Tuesday, the Wild assigned Harding to their AHL affiliate and, per the Star-Tribune’s Mike Russo, the veteran goalie will accept said assignment.
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Harding is owed $1.65 million the rest of the season (prorated from $2.1 million). When Harding is in Iowa, the Wild will have to pay his NHL salary there but will be charged a cap hit of $760,000 (not his $1.9 million cap hit) or roughly $5,200 per day.
This is not necessarily the end of the line for Harding. If and when the Wild needs him or his game his ready, he can be recalled. But Darcy Kuemper can’t be sent to the minors without waivers anymore and Niklas Backstrom can’t be sent to the minors because of a no-move clause.
Fletcher said Monday, “We didn’t have interest in carrying three goalies on a 23-man roster, particularly with the mumps or whatever the heck it is ripping through us. We’ve had two situations now with [Christian] Folin and [Marco] Scandella where they haven’t had to go on IR, so roster flexibility played a part in this.”
Harding, who hasn’t played since Dec. ’13 due to complications with treatment for multiple sclerosis, could be back in action soon -- Iowa next plays on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.