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Minnesota Wild: Top 10 Goalies in Franchise History

By Cody Defoe

ST. PAUL, MN - DECEMBER 17: John Curry #33 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the Boston Bruins on December 17, 2014 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - DECEMBER 17: John Curry #33 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the Boston Bruins on December 17, 2014 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NY – OCTOBER 10: Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New York Islanders on October 10, 2011 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Islanders defeated the Wild 2-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#1 – Niklas Backstrom (2006-2015)

It’s not often a goalie can enter the NHL as a 28-year old undrafted free agent and have instant success, but that is exactly the story Niklas Backstrom wrote when he was signed by the Minnesota Wild in 2006.

He surpassed Josh Harding to earn the backup role behind Manny Fernandez, and took over that role when Fernandez injured his knee midseason.

In 36 starts as a rookie, Backstrom led the league in GAA (1.97) and Sv% (.929) earning himself a Vezina nomination, and sharing the 2006-07 William Jennings trophy with Fernandez. Backstrom started all 5 playoff games in the first round loss to Anaheim.

In the 2007 offseason, Backstrom was confirmed as the Wild’s goaltender of the future when Fernandez was traded out of town. He continued his impressive start to his career with another Vezina nomination and playoff appearance, as he set a then Wild goalie record with 33 wins in the season.

In 2008-09 he increased on that record, starting 71 games, recording 37 wins and being named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Despite his team record performance, the Wild actually missed the playoffs in what was Backstrom’s career peak, coach Lemaire stepped down at the end of the season, and GM Doug Risebrough was relieved of his duties.

The new regime of GM Chuck Fletcher and coach Todd Richards attempted to adjust the Minnesota Wild system to a more offensive style, which ultimately hurt the performance of Backstrom by reducing his defensive help.

He continued to perform among the best goalies in the NHL through 3 more years missing the playoffs, only once finishing with a losing record. A return to the playoffs in 2012-13 was the final highpoint in a fantastic career.

Backstrom would be surpassed by the surging Josh Harding in 2013, only recording 2 wins between October to December as Harding was having a career year. When Harding was lost for the season, Backstrom took the net back in January, but an injury late in the month left him sidelined for the rest of the year.

Backstrom struggled to regain his form, losing the net to Kuemper and then eventually the arrival of Devan Dubnyk. He finished a stellar career as 3rd string in Minnesota, and then briefly as a backup in Calgary.

His legacy will stand as a consistent high-level goaltender, leading the Wild through the dark times and into 3 playoff appearances. An all-star game appearance, a Vezina finalist, and 10 fantastic years from a man who joined the team at 28 year years old.

Related Story. Have a Look at the Current Wild Goalies. light

He is still far ahead of all of his peers in games started (354), wins (194), and shutouts (28) for the Minnesota Wild. Dubnyk is closing ground quickly, and could eventually surpass Backstrom, but as it stands now Niklas Backstrom is still the best goalie the Wild have ever had.

Do you agree with this list? Disagree? Let us know in the comments how your Top 10 looks. Don’t forget to follow Gone Puck Wild on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest stories and updates.

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