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Niklas Backstrom | Goalie

Team: Minnesota Wild
Age / DOB:  (35) / 2/13/1978
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 186
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher reiterated his team's interest in re-signing Niklas Backstrom.
Backstrom had a 2.48 goals-against average and .909 save percentage this season. "We’ve had some conversations with his representation, and had a good meeting with Niklas before he went back to Finland," Fletcher said. "I think clearly he would like to come to back to Minnesota. We certainly would like to have him back. So the will is there from both parties. Now we just have to find a way, with respect to term and the cap and how do we manage all of that." Jun 19 - 8:42 PM
Source: ESPN.com

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Player News

Date:

The Minnesota Wild haven't engaged in serious talks with Niklas Backstrom yet.

Backstrom is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. "Right now, we’re just waiting for Minnesota to finish their meetings and go from there," Backstrom’s agent, Jeff Kowall said. "Our first step is to see what Minnesota’s plans are, and hopefully there’s something to be worked out." Minnesota will have problems working Backstrom under the cap unless they do something big like trading or using an amnesty buyout on Dany Heatley's contract. Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has previously expressed an interest in re-signing their 35-year-old starting goaltender.
Jun 7 - 4:54 PM

Goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency, wants to remain with the Wild.

"I just want to be where I feel comfortable and enjoy playing," Backstrom said. "If they want to have me back, I can't see a reason why we couldn't work something out." GM Chuck Fletcher wants to re-sign Backstrom who underwent successful sports hernia surgery two weeks ago and is expected to be ready for the 2013-14 season.
May 31 - 7:02 AM

The Wild announced that Niklas Backstrom underwent successful sports hernia surgery on Thursday.

He is expected to be fully recovered in time for next season, but as a pending unrestricted free agent it isn't clear if he'll back with Minnesota or somewhere else when he returns to the ice.
May 16 - 12:46 PM

Niklas Backstrom reportedly underwent groin surgery on Wednesday.

It was for a sports hernia, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo. He's a pending unrestricted free agency this summer, so potential suitors (or just the Minnesota Wild) will want to know that he's good to go.
May 11 - 4:16 PM

The MInnesota Wild have some difficult decisions to make with respect to their goaltending situation in 2013-14.

Franchise wins leader Niklas Backstrom is an unrestricted free agent, but the 35-year-old may be seeking a lucrative long-term deal after a great regular season and at the age of 35, Minnesota may not be willing to meet his demands. With Josh Harding's health status a question mark and little else in the system in terms of NHL-ready options, the Wild could find themselves searching for an alternative.
May 11 - 8:49 AM

Niklas Backstrom revealed that his lower body injury is a sports hernia.

Backstrom will undergo surgery as a result. He suffered the injury during the pre-game warmups prior to Game 1 and missed the entire first round. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and he isn't a lock to be re-signed. At the age of 35, he might have a tough time finding a starting gig on the open market and may have to settle for a backup role that comes with a genuine opportunity to overthrow the established starter.
May 10 - 9:50 AM

Niklas Backstrom (lower body) is not being rushed back into action because of the strong play of Josh Harding.

Backstrom was injured in the pre-game warmups before Game 1 and while he has started to practice, he is still not well enough to back up Harding as Darcy Kuemper has the job. Backstrom may not see action in Game 4 as well as Harding has been stellar between the pipes.
May 6 - 9:25 AM

Niklas Backstrom (lower body) participated in Minnesota's practice on Saturday.

Backstrom said he's improved, but the Wild aren't saying if he'll play on Sunday. Harding has a 2.64 GAA and .929 save percentage in two starts against Chicago in Backstrom's absence.
May 4 - 5:42 PM

Niklas Backstrom is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

He was injured in the warmup Tuesday night and it doesn't look like he will be available to play by Friday in Game 2. If Backstrom can't play then Josh Harding will start again and Darcy Kuemper will dress as the backup.
May 1 - 6:01 PM

Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo confirmed that Niklas Backstrom has a lower body injury.

Backstrom was expected to start in the Wild's first-round opener on Tuesday, but he sustained the ailment during the warmups. "Pretty much getting ready to pull up the lineup and post the lineup and sure enough find out that he’s not suited to go, so that was a bit of a curve ball to say the least," Yeo said. It's not clear if Backstrom is a possibility for Game 2.
May 1 - 11:09 AM

Niklas Backstrom was forced to leave the ice during warmups with what appeared to be an injury.

He reportedly hurt himself while reaching for rebound and it's not clear if he will be available to start Tuesday night against Chicago. If he can't play then Josh Harding could get the nod in his place in Game 1.
Apr 30 - 7:54 PM

Niklas Backstrom will see playoff action for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

It has been five years for the Wild and Backstrom, who is on the final year of his contract, is thrilled to be back in the post-season. "The past few years were really tough," Backstrom said. "But I didn't want to go somewhere else and chase a [Stanley] Cup. I wanted to be part of building a team into a playoff team and then a contender. And I wished, I hoped, this would be the team." Backstrom was 24-15-3 this season with a 2.48 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He hopes to get another contract with the Wild, the only NHL team he has played for.
Apr 29 - 10:03 AM

Niklas Backstrom faced 30 shots and made 29 saves in Minnesota's playoff-clinching 3-1 win over the Avalanche on Saturday night.

Backstrom has had a see-saw season, ending the year with a 2.48 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. He has a 3-8 career playoff record.
Apr 28 - 12:07 AM

Despite a disastrous result Friday night, Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the Minnesota Wild net today when the team visits the Avalanche in Colorado for the regular-season finale.

The Wild must win this game to qualify for the playoffs. Backstrom, after being yanked with 1:22 left in the first period (three goals on five shots) of Friday night's 6-1 home embarrassment at the hands of Edmonton, is 10-2-1 in his past 13 at Colorado with a 2.10 goals against average and .935 save percentage. Backstrom is 21-3-4 with a 1.84 goals against average and a .933 save percentage in starts after being pulled (non-injury) in his career, including 17-1-2 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .940 save percentage since March 26, 2008. The Wild needs Backstrom, who has been arguably overused beyond belief by the Wild, to step up big-time. Otherwise, this could be the last you see of Backstrom in a Wild uniform.
Apr 27 - 11:30 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Mikko Koivu
2Kyle Brodziak
3Mikael Granlund
4Charlie Coyle
5Zenon Konopka
6Jacob Dowell
7Chad Rau
LW1Zach Parise
2Matt Cullen
3Devin Setoguchi
4Michael Rupp
5Jason Zucker
RW1Jason Pominville
2Dany Heatley
3Pierre-Marc Bouchard
4Brett Bulmer
5Cal Clutterbuck
6Torrey Mitchell
7Stephane Veilleux
8Carson McMillan
D1Ryan Suter
2Tom Gilbert
3Jonas Brodin
4Marco Scandella
5Jared Spurgeon
6Clayton Stoner
7Justin Falk
8Mathew Dumba
9Nate Prosser
G1Niklas Backstrom
2Josh Harding
3Jeff Deslauriers
4Darcy Kuemper