There is/was a possibility that he could take over the #1 gig this upcoming summer when Backstrom's deal runs out. I highly doubt they give him the job less than a full year after being diagnosed.

He also has a history of getting hurt despite not playing all that often. MS just adds to an existing pile of concerns. So with all that in mind, he likely went from potential #1 to permanent backup. He could overcome his issues and have huge success, but in fantasy hockey where we play the odds it's tough to put that much faith in Harding at this point.

I think Bachman is very capable of being productive in Dallas.

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Thanks for the responses...

I might start another thread to find out who should I replace him with. The goal is to find starting goalies and while I hope he can find a way to stay in the game, I have my doubts it will be in a starting role.

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13 Team, keep 5 league (1 G max), daily line ups, roto league
2011 - 1st, 2010 - 6th, 2009 - 3rd
G, A, +/-, PPG, SHP, SOG, Hits, Blk, W, GAA, SV, S%, SO
2 C, 2 LW, 2 RW, 4 D, 1 Util, 2 G, 4 BN
C: E Staal, Zetterberg (LW)*, Hanzal
RW: Eberle, Clarkson, Voracek, Iginla*
LW: Perron, Pacioretty, Saad
D: Ekman-Larsson, Seabrook, Orpik, Bouwmeester, Seidenberg
G: Niemi, Anderson*, Fasth
*not keeper eligible - top 2 round pick

I agree it's quite a stretch that he'll be able to take the #1 job from Backstrom... but it wasn't exactly a sure thing to begin with. Short term, I'd still value Harding over the other mentioned guys, as I had said before.

But yes, long term, and if you're looking at which of those is most likely to be a successful STARTER, then Harding is obviously not at the top of the list.

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16 team roti keeper (yr 5/5, keep 6)
G, A, +/-, PIM, PPG, PPA, SHG, SHA, GWG
W, GAA, SV%, SO
2c, 2lw, 2rw, 4d, 2g, 8bn

C: Stamkos, Backstrom
LW: Sedin, Landeskog, Ott (C), McGinn
RW: Purcell, Brunner, Stewart, Boyes (C), Hornqvist
D: Letang, Byfuglien, Streit, Carlson, Beauchemin, Barrie
G: Ward, Schneider, Ellis

As a Harding owner myself (and a big fan of him) I've been mulling over the situation myself and trying to come up with a legitimate expectation... I fortunate enough not too need Harding as a #2 goalie... Instead he is below Niemi, Varlamov and Nuevirth on my chart...

From what those those are saying about the side effects of MS, its more less clearing out my expectations and thoughts on his situation... as said before MS didnt end Siglat's career, it was the fact he wasn't a good goalie...

I think that there will be 2 main things to watch:

Minny's use of him in practice - the Wild will likely have to change and compensate his practice regime in that his starts will be more schedualed (good for us poolies)... obviously he likely wont practice much before a start or game day skate...

Back To Back Starts - Unlikely to see from him, but they are getting rare for most goalies, If Backstrom gets hurt, is traded, or UFAs at the end of the season, Harding could still hold that starting role, but in more the 1 A capacity... It will be unlikely he ever plays a Friday and then Satuerday game...

He once was a possible work horse, top 10 talent, Starter potential... I think he is now downgraded to a likely top 20, 1 A potential starter or capable 1B..

As for the season that could happen.. he would likely start only 1 out of 4 games behind Backstrom which is nothing new...

The question will be how he reacts if Minny elects to let Backstrom go at the end of his contract and roll Harding/Hackett... once capable of 65 starts when healthy... I think we are now looking at 55-50... but short lived... he is late 20s now, and I don't expect him to play past 35 with this diagnosis... he could likely start for 2-3 years before it would be smarter for him to fade off into the sunset, which would be an excellent time frame for Hackett and Kuemper owners if Minny stays the course....

I must echo the fact that Backstrom's value is the same or declineing due to age, with no Harding effect, Harding's value is very much based upon Manager's opinion/trust in him, not on what he can/could do now, Hackett's value grows and becomes a very good #3 to have your hands on with starting potential 4-5 years down the road, and Kuemper's value also rises but he is hampered by Hackett until he jumps him.

Your fantasy hockey thoughts never throw out your true emotions in a situation when asking a question like this. We all understand that health issues can effect your management and because you ask these questions doesnt make you seem cold... Many people delt with these questions with Mario Lemeiux and Saku Koivu, every concussion makes us question 'squishy melons' like Crosby, Lindros, Connolly and Pronger. Berard's eye... Everyone understands that we care about the player's health in all these situations, but from a game standpoint we must figure out these issues much the same as NHL managers.

Personally, I've been pleased to have traded away Luc Bourdon and Pasi Nurminen barely months before their careers abruptly ended, not because I'm a sadist, but because I got value before they were of no value, I still mourned the loss of Bourdon and felt bad for the unfortunate life change of Nurminen the same as everyone else...

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Current Roster:

F: H Sedin, Plekanec, Kovalchuck, Perry, Cammalleri, Oshie, Stepan, Anisimov, Kunitz, Justin Williams, Little, Baertchi, Huberdeau, Olli Jokinen, Eberle, Rattie, Alfredsson

D: Boumeester, Green, Carlson, Vlasic, Del Zotto, Myers, Scandella

G: Niemi, Varlamov, Neuvirth, Harding, Ramo, Vasilevski