Harding Placed on IR; Can the Wild Survive?

Wild goaltender Josh Harding won't be with the team for a short time. The Vezina-Trophy considered goaltender was placed on the injured list so that he can adjust his medication for multiple sclerosis, the team announced Wednesday.

Harding has been dealing with his disease since the lockout when he was diagnosed with it. He missed two months of last season because of the adjustment to his medication. He played in the fins l week of that season, the first round of the playoffs, and won the NHL's Masterton Trophy.

The team states that the absence will be much shorter.

Harding has taken over the No. 1 job in Minnesota from Nicklas Backstrom. He ranks first in the NHL in GAA with 1.51, tied for first in shutouts with three, second in save percentage with .939, and tied for second in wins with 18.

While losing Harding might be considered a big loss for some concerned Wild fans, I actually think that the Wild will be able to manage. Although he has been the main reason the Wild have been able to remain in games, the fact of the matter is that offense is able to click day-in and day-out. And while Nicklas Backstrom might not be as much of a star player as he once was, he has proven that he can play this in Harding's absence. The good news is that this absence is only for a short period of time. No need to panic, Wild fans.