Jason Zucker game winner against the Blackhawks

For the most part I thought that the Minnesota Wild were the better team today, except for the two-four  minute period of time where the Minnesota Wild tried to sit on the lead and it came back to bite them in the back side.

Zucker: On the game winning goal "I Just tried to get it to the net and tried to go up high cause it was open and it did." #mnwild
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Zucker: "That crowd was unbelievable and you feed on that stuff."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

(Video) Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom injured during warm ups.

Shall we say that the series is not starting out well for the Minnesota Wild, as their starting goalie Niklas Backstrom was injured during warm ups. The Wild's Backstrom was tied for first in wins with Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi.

The backup goalie, Josh Harding has played in only five games all season long and only two games since January 30, 2013 and was unimpressive in relief against the Edmonton Oilers letting in three goals in the first four shots that he faced. The line on Harding, 1-1-0 .863 Save percentage and 3.20 GAA.

This sums it up well.

It was announced today that Wild goalie Josh Harding has MS.

#mnwild goalie Josh Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, vows to overcome it, succeed with it #NHL strib.mn/Srptzu
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 29, 2012

Friday link around – Summer in full spring

The National Hockey League's 2012-13 season is set to begin playing games on Oct. 11 – yeah right.

After playing only 16 games in last season Guillaume Latendresse is close to signing a one year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Josh Harding will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a three year 5.7 million dollar deal.

According to Michael Russo - Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a new deal.

The Minnesota Wild Recently released their new schedule – not that it's going to be make any difference.

In one of the more shocking moves of the week – Penguins forward Jordan Staal – who is set to become an unrestricted free agent – recently rejected a 10-year contract extension from the Pittsburgh Penguin. The contract in question was believed to be in the $60 million dollar range.

Michigan defenseman and New Jersey Devils draft choice John Merill is undecided about his next step and will decide after the Devils development camp if he is ready to sign or return to school. My advice to Merill is to stay in school John; you will no doubt develop under Red Berenson if you can keep your nose clean.

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers are both involved in discussions with much sought after forwards Columbus’ Blue Jackets Rick Nash and Anaheim’s Ducks Bobby Ryan.

Former Boston University star forward Brandon Yip has signed with the Nashville Predators.

Apparently, the NHL players are optimistic that a lockout can be avoided – I am not as optimist that a lock-out can be avoided and I think that start of the season will be delayed.

Russian star Nail Yakupov who could go number one in the NHL draft - says that his goal is to play in the NHL – there are some that have their doubts.

Future Golden Gopher Taylor Cammarata was impressive at the NHL combine according to Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News.

The Boston Bruins have released their schedule and they will start the regulars season against the Broad Street Bullies in Philly.

Here is the Boston Bruins preseason schedule:

Sept. 25: Bruins at Capitals (Verizon Center, Washington)
Sept. 26: Bruins at Sabres (First Niagara Center, Buffalo)
Sept. 29: Bruins vs. Jets (Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon)
Sept. 30: Bruins at Jets (MTS Centre, Winnipeg)
Oct. 3: Bruins vs. Capitals (TD Garden)
Oct. 5: Bruins vs. Sabres (TD Garden)
Oct. 6: Bruins at Canadiens (Bell Centre, Montreal)

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was named the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner at the NHL awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bergy was only the second Boston Bruins player to be awarded a Selke Trophy.

"Some" GM's want to reinstate the center-ice red line in an attempt to curb concussions.

 This is a horrible idea, it would slow down the game and make the game of hockey less exciting to watch because it would cause more whistles and stoppages.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP)----The GMs began three days of meetings Monday. Several have said they would like to see the red line and two-line passes return in an effort to slow the game in the neutral zone, which might reduce the rate of concussions by making collisions less violent.

There is opposition, however, with many arguing that the removal of the red line in 2005 made the game more entertaining.

''We're looking at ways to make the game safer without taking away the physical nature of the sport,'' Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. ''It's a balance you're always trying to strike.'

Related articles

• NHL GMs debate return of center-ice red line (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• GMs expected to debate return of the red line (espn.go.com)
• Josh Harding Injury: Wild Goalie Puts Minnesota In A Tough Spot (minnesota.sbnation.com)
• Chuck Fletcher to Wild veterans: It's all your fault (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Wild Trade Rumors 2012: Chuck Fletcher Hasn't Asked Marek Zidlicky to Waive No-Trade Clause (minnesota.sbnation.com)

Minnesota Wild resign goaltender Josh Harding

Image via WikipediaThe Minnesota Wild have resigned Josh Harding to a one year contract. Last season Harding didn't play because of a knee injury.

ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota Wild inked backup goaltender Josh Harding to a one-year deal on Friday.

No financial terms were revealed, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune quoted a $750,000 price tag.

Harding was forced to sit out all of the 2010-11 season after tearing his ACL and MCL during an exhibition contest, and the subsequent surgery.

The 27-year-old Saskatchewan native posted a 9-12-0 record with a 3.05 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 2009-10 for Minnesota.