Josh Harding, who many expected to be the Wild's No. 1 goalie before the season, cleared waivers Tuesday and was assigned to Iowa of the AHL.
The move came one day after the Wild lifted his team-implemented suspension for breaking his right foot in a non-hockey related incident before training camp.
Drafted 38th overall in 2002, Harding, 30, is 60-59-11 in 151 career games with a 2.45 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and 10 shutouts.
Last season, he had 18 wins and a league-best 1.65 GAA and .933 save percentage, but he couldn't play after Dec. 31 because of complications with multiple sclerosis.
In Iowa or Minnesota, Harding is owed $1.65 million the rest of the season. While in Iowa, the Wild will be charged a salary cap hit of $760,000 or roughly $5,200 per day.
General Manager Chuck Fletcher said Monday the team didn't want to carry three goalies on a 23-man roster and Harding, after not playing in nearly 11 months, needs time in Iowa to get his game ready before the team could consider recalling him back to Minnesota.
MICHAEL RUSSO
