Devan Dubnyk Won't Be Re-Signed By Chuck Fletcher (Or Something)

Minnesota fans everywhere are buzzing about Devan Dubnyk and his role during the complete 180 the Wild have taken in their surge towards the post-season. Dubnyk is 21-6-1 with the Wild and 30-11-3 overall with a 2.10 GAA and .928 Sv% on the year, oh and a modest 6 shutouts under his belt as well. I don’t think a fan out there could say a negative thing about him. He takes his role seriously, wants to be in Minnesota’s net, and couldn’t be more gracious in giving his teammates the credit night-in and night-out.

The Wild have won eight games in a row away from home, a franchise record thanks in large to Dubnyk’s solid outings. He instills the confidence in Wild players to go out and play their game, and not look at their goalie as a liability. Minnesota sits fifth in the Western Conference and holds the first wild card spot with 85 points. Lest a nuclear meltdown this late in the year, they’re primed to make another playoff run this spring.

Dubnyk may be in a contract year, he may have a slim chance at being a Vezina candidate, and he may have rejuvenated his career while saving Minnesota’s season. Yet, he still doesn’t have his extension with the Wild. Why?

Because we already have our goalie situation figured out going forward! And it starts with…

“The Kuemperor”

That’s right Wild fans, Darcy Kuemper is the future in Minnesota’s crease. After holding out last summer until given a two-year 2.5 million dollar contract, Kuemper supplied the Wild an incredible .500 record of play in net this year before Dubnyk’s arrival. Reinforcing his play is his 2.62 GAA and .904 Sv%. He may have been pulled a few times from the goal this year, but only once did that happen in Iowa.

Even on those nights when he gets chased from the net, when we get to see his signature “Darcy Dougie” goal-line pace, we can breathe easy. We have Niklas Backstrom.

“Backstop”

That’s right, even at 37 years of age, Backstrom still has it. A combined 10-18-4 record over the past two seasons, he’s entering the final year under contract in 2015-16 worth 3.41 million. A steal, if you ask me. Something tells me that at 38, he’ll finally be able to put more than 20 games into a campaign next season (average of 20GP the past two years). Why would a 38-year-old goaltender not return to 2008 form? He will be the backup unless there is a…

Healthy Harding

I love me some Josh Harding, almost all Wild fans do. Is there a chance he returns next season with the Wild? Many were expecting his return this year after a long break for his MS treatments, until an off-ice kickball with a wall game resulted in a broken foot and suspension from management. Then there was the conditioning stint in Iowa, resulting in him being pulled from the net due to dehydration in just his second game; also related to his MS complications. It’s been dramatic to say the least over the previous few years. It could be long overdue that we say goodbye to Josh Harding, or we’re thrown for a loop again and he comes back after receiving a multi-year extension from Fletch. Whatever happens, we’ve got another young stud in waiting…

“Goose”

Pegged by many as the true goalie of the future, Johan Gustafsson has been playing for his chance at a call-up to the big boys north of the border. Through nearly two years of his three-year, entry-level deal with the Wild, the Swedish goaltender has a 20-38-4 career record and a GAA above 3.00 in Iowa. He even got to bully ECHL teams this season when he was sent down to the Wild’s ECHL affiliate Alaska Aces. Could the sixth round pick of 2010 get a shot next season with Minnesota?

Next Year

There you have it, Minnesota’s goaltending situation for YEARS to come.

After looking at these four reliable goaltenders above, it’s no wonder Chuck Fletcher is hesitant to re-sign Dubnyk to an extension. Maybe he’s not hesitant, just waiting for the right time? Either way, we won’t need him next season or beyond, because we’ve got it covered. There’s no way in hell that next year, Duby-less, we as fans find ourselves singing “Duby Duby Doo, where are you? We’ve got some work to do now.”

Please Chuck, don’t make us sing that song.

The time to sign Devan Dubnyk is now.

Next: Justin Fontaine: The Wild's Most Underrated Player

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Devan Dubnyk Won’t Be Re-Signed By Chuck Fletcher

By Jon Nomland | Mar 20, 2015