And This Means What...

UPDATE - 


Aeros GM Jim Mill confirmed this morning that Josh Harding is injured, forcing the recall of Hackett from the Aeros. 

The timing could not have been better for Hackett. 


I know he is busting his ass out there, but at least during one part of every game, it looks like he wants to pick up one of his teammates, spin them over his head and thrown them headfirst into the short wall. 


We'll keep you posted if we find out more ... 

We were all puzzled this morning when we noticed a report from a Colorado paper that the Aeros had called up a ECHL goalie named Robby Nolan from the Colorado Eagles.  Puzzled since the Aeros had yet to announce anything, since Matt Hackett and Darcy Kuemper were both supposedly healthy, and since both Wild goalies were supposedly healthy.


Things have yet to be totally have been clarified, but because Wild beat writer Michael Russo is reporting that the Wild have recalled Matt Hackett even though Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding are healthy and both of them skated at practice yesterday.  So make of it what you will. because Harding tweaked something in practice yesterday.

Hackett Called Up

UPDATE THE FURTHER (5:15):  Now Michael Russo is reporting that Hackett is on his way to Chicago, via airline, to join the Wild in case Harding is not available tomorrow.  I'm assuming this means Kuemper gets the start tonight.

UPDATE:  Joe O'Donnell says Hackett is starting tonight, and Michael Russo is writing that Harding is ill, won't travel with the team tonight, but could possibly join the Wild tomorrow, so maybe Hackett's not leaving after all.

ORGINAL:  Josh Harding is ill, so Matt Hackett is on his way to the Wild.  No word on what the Aeros will do for a back-up for Darcy Kuemper tonight -- good news is that they're up in hockey territory so hopefully they can find someone under the age of 50.

Goalie News From Minnesota

For those who missed the news, Josh Harding was injured in last night's exhibition game. Michael Russo is tweeting that Harding tore his right ACL and right MCL and that he is likely out for the season. Russo is also tweeting that, as of now, the Wild's number two goalie for the season will be Anton Khudobin until/unless he proves he can't handle the position.

For the Aeros, that means that Josh Tordjman and Matt Hackett will be number one and two in Houston to start the season, and I would expect Jim Mill to get another AHL-experienced goalie under contract and stashed in the ECHL.

Dubie up, Brusty up, and photos from Chicago

Busy day in Aeros land, particularly for the Goalie Express, which is filling the skies with rainbows of puck-stopping delight in a couple different directions today.

It starts at the top with the Wild's Niklas Backstrom having a stiff back. He's been shut down to rest it up for a few days, which means Harding needs a back-up for the Wild games tonight and Saturday.

Dubielewicz got the call over Khudobin this time. Russo seems to have been told by the Wild that this was because Khudobin is the starter for the Aeros in Milwaukee tonight. Problem with that is that the Aeros don't play in Milwuakee until tomorrow night. But maybe that's what they meant. Sure.

Anyway, now Anton needs a backup, and according to sources, this time Brusty gets the call instead of a proximity call-up like they did in Abbotsford. And as one person suggested to me, Barry did completely kick butt in Milwaukee last time he was with the team. Maybe he gets the start?

But eventually Khudobin's going to have to get a chance to sort himself out, so my prediction is that he gets the start. These are some biiiiig games this weekend though, so who know what KC's thinking will be. Personally, I'd play Brusty, but I think that goes without saying, nevermind the multiple interpretations. ;)

The other part of this, on the Wild end, is that Harding's also playing through a hip injury, and was in visible discomfort at times last night against the Red Wings. I've found that my physical world revolves around my hips and knees as a goalie, so continuing to play on hurting hips is not going to help them heal.

So it wouldn't surprise me if somehow Dubie gets some playing time before Backstrom has recovered. And I'm sure it would be pretty special for him if it came tonight, since he played for the University of Denver during his college career.

Ahhh, I do love me some goalie activity, especially when it's the upward-bound kind!

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Okay, enough of that and moving on to the fabulous, witty, and talented Chris Jerina's photos from last night's whoopin' in Chicago. Here's the full photo set, but I picked a few out below that I particularly liked.

Aeros lost 5-2 and it sounded like they just couldn't get it together. I only listened to the game (as opposed to watching it) after they went down 2-0. This team just doesn't come back from that.

First up, it's Red Anton and Green Anton

Okay, not really. Dubie is still wearing Anton's old mask (green). I think we need to start a friendly wagering pool as to when he'll finally wear a mask of his own.

Look who's back! Peter Zingoni! He's been out forevah!

Cody Almond interrupting the passing lane

JM Daoust tries to put Chris Chelios into retirement for good. Great facial expressions here.

Brandon Rogers launches the puck with his teammates on their feet behind him.

And just as a little goaliephile extra, this was Atlanta Thrasher Kari Lehtonen's second game back after being out all season and, I believe a good chunk of last season, with a couple of back surgeries. His first game during this rehab stint with the Wolves was shaky but it sounds like he's finding his rhythm now. Lucky Aeros!

Chris got some great pictures of him, but I'll just post a couple since he's not ours. They're just pretty to look at.



I don't know much about Lehtonen, but he must have the most, um, colorful pads in the league. They're so loud, it doesn't even matter that his Wolves gear clashes pretty badly. All you see is pads. My theory is that the Aeros were mesmerized by them.

ALL PHOTOS by Chris Jerina

Thanks again to Chris for getting these great shots of the boys on the road. And our apologies for sticking you with another crappy game.

Fire and Goalie Update

I'm not sure how much of this got mentioned last night, but I thought it'd give a little run down of breaking news in the Wild/Aeros organization.

As most of you are aware, the Ottawa Senators visiting team equipment truck with much of the Wild player and coach equipment in it caught fire yesterday on the way to the arena from the practice facility.

Both goalies saw all their gear destroyed, as did many players. Russo has a great article on all of it here today and here's an even more thorough accounting of the losses on his blog. The dramatic photos are here on Puck Daddy. The burned goalie mask makes my stomach turn!

The game goes on tonight in Ottawa, but Anton Khudobin has been summoned in case the goalies can't get comfortable enough in whatever gear they scrape together and they need him to start. I'd agree with Russo that it's unlikely he starts but wouldn't that be something? Wow.

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And continuing on the goalie news, as you also know, Barry Brust was up earlier in the week due to Josh Harding having the flu and Khudobin recalled to the Wild.

He backed up Dubielewicz on Tuesday in Cedar Park, and was scratched when Khudobin returned at home on Wednesday. He was sent back down to Florida on Thursday to help the Blades out Friday and Saturday night, though he did not play in the 5-3 loss to Wheeling (worst team in the ECHL) Friday night. Great call, Blades! /sarcasm

Aaanyway, Brusty will fly back on Sunday as the Blades go on their Christmas break and the Aeros start theirs after Sunday's game.

In case you missed it in Andrew's Chron article last night, the team confirmed that Dubielewicz is going to Switzerland in place of injured Texas Star goalie Brent Krahn on Team Canada for the Spengler Cup through the first of the year (which is why he's been getting so many starts lately).

So, we get our dear Brusty back and in a few games hopefully while Dubie is gone.

Tomorrow's game, I would expect to see Dubie starting again as he's the only goalie who won't be traveling half the day, assuming Khudobin is sent down from Minny. But what the hell do I know. Don't answer that.

More roster shuffles today (Updated): Earl, Khudobin, Brust up, Smith down

Nathan Smith is being returned to the Aeros, and in his place, Robbie Earl is being called up.

Also, Anton Khudobin is being called up, as Josh Harding has the flu.

Which means we're a goalie short in Houston. And that means... Jailbreak for Brusty, bitches! Yeah!

Er, that is, "sources have confirmed that Barry Brust has been recalled to the Aeros." Um yeah, that's what I meant, boss.

Wade Dubielewicz to sign with Wild

I can confirm that Wade Dubielewicz will sign a contract with the Wild and will compete for the No. 2 goaltending spot with the Wild this fall.

Good news for Aeros fans is that if Josh Harding is not traded, then he will likely be the No. 1 in Houston. But if Harding is traded -- and personally I think this scenario is much, much more likely now -- that means it's up to Brust and Khudobin to man the pipes at Toyota Center.

So in a span of 12 hours, it went from sheer panic (OK, so I kid ... but some people need to chill) to possibly getting Duncan Milroy, Jon DiSalvore, Pete Zingoni and maybe Dubielewicz down in Houston.

My guess is that this is all of the big news for now. But stay tuned.

Wild/Aeros Goaltending Situation; Tom Lynn's job security

John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press muses on his blog today about the fate of Josh Harding and, in relation, where the Wild think their minor league goalies stand in terms of moving up.

His assessment pretty much matches mine. Neither Brusty nor Dimples are technically solid enough to get it on full time in the NHL, even as a back-up. I think Schaefer probably is, though I didn't realize he was making so much coin. That's damn good for the AHL, so good for him.

Also, we learn that it's an MCL injury that sent Dimples out at the end of the third in Game 4.

Looking Ahead

My #1 concern is about goaltending depth next season. This year and last, the Aeros had Dimples down in the ECHL to call up and provide pretty good support in a pinch. The Wild haven't drafted a goalie since drafting Niko Hovinen in 2006, and he's been playing in Finland all this time. (AeroFinn... how about a stats update on the kid. My Finnish is rusty.)

The team has not had him over for Prospects Camp since 2007, so who knows what their intentions are with him.

Without a doubt, the team needs to beef up the goaltending ranks either through draft or trade or both (though draft will be too late to help this season due to age restrictions). I personally am still quite scarred from the 06-07 season when Harding got called up with no help behind him, and then turned around and was immediately spoiled by the amazing Schaefer-Brust tandem last season.

It was more of a mixed bag this year, but imagine if the Aeros hadn't had Khudobin to call upon. Wowza. Anyway, more on this later as we take a look at how next years Aeros stack up.
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Meanwhile, from Russo at the Star Tribune today, reports of Tom Lynn's job security as GM of the Aeros may have been overstated last week, as Chuck Fletcher, the shiny new GM for the Wild, is saying that nobody is necessarily in or out and that those decisions will come in due time:

To clarify one thing that was reported earlier this week, [Fletcher] has decided no staff member is leaving or staying. He’s been in the office for three hours total, and has met a precious few. He said there’s no reason for anybody to be walking on eggshells, but stories that he’s told anybody they’re safe or unsafe were premature. What does that mean? He’ll meet with staff over the next several weeks, ask a ton of questions and then things “will become apparent to me,” and that does include Tom Lynn and Tommy Thompson.

So, maybe the Aeros summer won't be as stable as we might have expected. Won't that be fun?