Minnesota Wild goalie breaks foot, won’t get paid while out

Dec 29, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding (37) gives up a goal to New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo (not pictured) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Islanders defeated the Wild 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding (37) gives up a goal to New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo (not pictured) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Islanders defeated the Wild 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Wild have hardly thought about training camp yet and already they’re losing players. In a serious case of deja vu, the team will be without goaltender Josh Harding for at least a couple months after Harding broke his foot following an altercation with a teammate. Harding reportedly kicked a wall following the fight and broke his foot. Given the nature of the injury, the Wild won’t have to pay him while he’s out.

More from Minnesota Wild

The Star-Tribune’s Michael Russo first reported the injury before TSN’S Bob McKenzie confirmed that Harding would forfeit his pay while being out with injury because of how the broken foot came about. While the Wild would likely prefer to just pay for a healthy Josh Harding, it appears their goaltending woes from a year ago will continue into this season.

With Darcy Keumper still holding out with contract issues, the team has once again offered a pro-camp tryout to Ilya Bryzgalov, who played with Minnesota last season.

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was predictably mum on Harding’s injury and the team’s plan going forward. “The bottom line is right now he’s not available to us, and that diminishes our depth at that position and it hurts our team. However it happened, it’s important to get the answers, but at the end of the day, it’s not going to change the situation.”

More from FanSided.com

NHL: How the Western Conference became a powerhouse
NHL: Top 5 NHL mascots

List of Top 60 NHL prospects released
Teemu Selanne rips Anaheim Ducks head coach
Toronto Maple Leafs assistant gets told no by Phil Kessel