Who Starts In Net For The 2014-15 Wild?

While competitive to the very end, the Wild were not exactly a model of consistency. Mike Yeo's team lost six of its first nine to start the year, dropped the final six games before the calendar turned to 2014 and threatened to tailspin to the finish with nine of 12 losses during March.

A microcosm of their inconsistency was the goalie situation. The Wild's list of netminders resembled a pitching rotation in baseball – five starters who took turns. Unfortunately, that's not what any coach has in mind for the most important position on the ice.

Minnesota didn't have one goalie that started 30 games during the regular season, largely due to injuries. Josh Harding led the way with 26. For perspective, Jonas Hiller of the Ducks appeared in 50 games, and he was 20th on the games-played list (Kari Lehtonen of Dallas led the way at 65).

Harding was spectacular as he split reps with Niklas Backstrom through two months, compiling a 1.65 goals-against average until his battle with multiple sclerosis caught up with him. Harding didn't play a game in 2014, though there was talk he might be available as a back-up during the playoff run.

Backstrom, the most tenured of the Wild's goalie options, was less impressive in 19 starts, posting a 3.02 GAA. He dealt with a recurring abdominal injury that eventually ended his season. Backstrom made his last start on Jan. 30

With Harding and Backstrom out of the picture, the coaching staff got an extended look at 24-year-old Darcy Kuemper, who made 25 starts, put up a 2.43 GAA and won Games 3, 4 and 6 of the Wild's first-round playoff series. His time in net was derailed twice by concussions; once mid-season and once again during Game 7 in Colorado.

Then there's Ilya Bryzgalov, the 33-year-old "Mr. Universe." Bryzgalov only lost once in regulation through 11 regular season starts, got pulled in the playoffs after giving up some soft goals to Colorado in Games 1 and 2, then came back strong in the Blackhawks series and performed admirably in Games 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The fifth goalie was Shorewood's John Curry, who started in the season's penultimate game once the Wild had clinched a playoff berth.

With the exception of Curry, each of the other four tenders got roughly an equal chance to prove their mettle. Three of them are on the back end of their careers, while one of them – Kuemper – may just be getting started.

Some decisions will have to be made in the coming months by those within the organization. Until the team's direction becomes clear, here are some projections for who will be wearing the mask when the puck drops next October.

Starting with the most likely…

DARCY KUEMPER: 45 PERCENT CHANCE

Kuemper made the most of his great opportunity this season and rocketed himself to the forefront of offseason discussions. The Wild will need to re-sign Kuemper, a restricted free agent, which shouldn't be difficult. Kuemper won three of four decisions in the postseason and had a terrific mid-season stretch that helped put the Wild in playoff position.

Kuemper is young and clearly has the most upside of any rostered goalie. Backstrom and Harding both have injury concerns. The upstart Saskatoon native seems to have the best shot at starting keeper.

NIKLAS BACKSTROM: 25 PERCENT CHANCE

Just minutes before Game 1 of the 2013 Western Conference Quarterfinals, Backstrom was struck by a harmless practice shot and subsequently sidelined for the series. His big chance to steal a series from the big, bad Blackhawks was out the window, and since then his career has taken a downward turn. He didn't perform well this season and dealt with injury. Plus, he's 36 and is eating up cap space.

Ironically, his injury may help keep him afloat in Minnesota. According to this Star Tribune report, it may not be possible for the Wild to buy out Backstrom due to his injury, just as the team discovered last summer with Dany Heatley. Backstrom has spent his entire eight-year career with the Wild. If they are forced to pay him anyway, Josh Harding isn't 100 percent and Kuemper loses favor, Backstrom may get the nod based on the merits of his solid tenure.

JOSH HARDING: 20 PERCENT CHANCE Harding's story is incredibly inspirational; all the more because of the way he played for the first two months of the season. Unfortunately, MS's unpredictability has Harding – and the team – in a state of flux. Coach Yeo even admitted in February how difficult the situation was becoming. With just one year left on Harding's deal, the Wild may be rooting for Harding along with the rest of us, but they probably won't expect him to start in goal. In fact, it would be unorthodox for the Wild to have three goalies with one-way contracts on the roster. Of Kuemper, Backstrom and Harding, the latter may be the odd one out.

ILYA BRYZGALOV: 10 PERCENT CHANCE

The Wild brought in Bryzgalov strictly as a last resort when Harding, Backstrom and Kuemper went down (Who knew the Wild would regret dealing Matt Hackett so much?). "Bryz" is now an unrestricted free agent after making $2.6 million this past year. The Wild could bring him back for less money in a back-up role. But it may not be Bryzgalov's choice to accept a back-up job just one year removed from having a nine-year, $51 million contract bought out in historic fashion. Bryzgalov might have a chip on his shoulder and want to start. Not sure the Wild will guarantee that.