Minnesota Wild’s Niklas Backstrom Undergoes Successful Surgery

Apr 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

According to the team’s website, the Minnesota Wild have announced that No. 1 goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent a successful sports hernia surgery today. The operation was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Backstrom has not played since clinching the Wild’s first playoff berth in five years in the team’s final game on April 27^th. He would go down with an injury in pregame warm-ups before Game One of their first round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nik, an unrestricted free agent, is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2013-14 regular season, at which time he’ll likely compete, if he re-signs, with Josh Harding for the No. 1 role. Harding has stated that he’d like to play “all 82” games next season, and Backstrom insists he wants to stay in Minnesota and that it’s not about money. With 2009 6^th rounder Darcy Kuemper rising through the ranks and getting a taste of NHL action this past season, Minnesota’s goaltending situation should be interesting to watch.