Backstrom, Harding will share goaltending duties this season

By Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2007 - 5:28 PM

Here is one of the best compliments Wild coach Jacques Lemaire could give goaltender Josh Harding: He's been exactly like Niklas Backstrom was last year. And that's why the Wild will begin the season not with a No. 1 and No. 2 goalie. Not even with a 1A and 1B.

"Two As," Lemaire said Wednesday. "No Bs."

Because of Harding's promise and his preseason play, the Wild will use a platoon system not unlike the one employed when Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez were here.

"The biggest thing for us is that the team plays well and wins," Backstrom said. "Everybody wants to play, but in goal only one can. When it's not your turn, you do what you can to support the other guy."

According to Lemaire, Harding could play in as many as 35 games. Harding says he has learned a lot while observing Backstrom.

"He's a role model to the younger guys, and especially to me," Harding said. "He works harder than anybody I've ever met."

Said Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough: "It's a reflection of what we think of Josh. And from a strategy point of view, I think it's hard to put a load on one guy to play all those games. Ultimately, as we saw last year, injuries become a factor. You need two people you're comfortable with to play in the games."

Nummelin OK

Defenseman Petteri Nummelin (hamstring) skated hard for a second consecutive day and said he was ready to play. But defenseman Kurtis Foster (groin) again did not practice.

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com

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