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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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EDMONTON, CANADA – JANUARY 18: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Minnesota Wild concentrates on the puck against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place on January 18, 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#6 – Anton Khudobin (2007-2011)

If there was ever a goalie in the Minnesota Wild system who truly deserved better than what he was given, it would have to be Anton Khudobin. The 2004 7th Round Draft pick, who worked hard to get his chances in the NHL, could never seem to secure a spot.

After 3 years in Russia, his first 2 seasons in America saw him struggle to get playing time even in the AHL, as he was even stuck as the 3rd man down there. He ended up mostly in the ECHL just to get regular playing time under his belt.

In 2009-10, when he finally clawed his way to the 3rd string spot, he caught some breaks with injuries to Backstrom and Harding which saw Khudobin thrust into action. He played 9 minutes of perfect hockey in his NHL debut, coming in relief for Harding.

Khudobin’s performance earned him the start in the next game, in which he was nearly perfect turning away 38 of 39 shots in a winning effort. Unfortunately, despite allowing only 1 goal on 48 shots faced through 2 game, Khudobin did not get another chance to play in Minnesota that year.

2010-11 appeared to be the year Khudobin could finally shine in a backup role when Harding injured his knee in the pre-season. Rather than giving Dobby a chance, though, the Minnesota Wild opted to sign Jose Theodore and relegate Anton back to Houston in the AHL.

Khudobin would get one more chance, when both Backstrom and Theodore went down with injury in January 2011. His first start was a rare shaky appearance as Khudobin allowed 3 goals early and took the L. He Bounced back with a shutout win and then a 32 save win, but again found himself in Houston when the Top 2 got healthy.

At the 2011 NHL Trade Deadline, a promising start to his Wild career was cut short when Khudobin found himself traded to Boston. Now 7 years later, and having bounced through a couple teams back to Boston last year, Dobby finds himself the clear cut #2 to Ben Bishop in Dallas.

He is coming off a 16 win season last year over 29 starts. The Wild let this one get away too soon, as Khudobin is now 32 years old and still has time to establish himself as a reliable veteran for a team in need of goaltending help.

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