Wild Signs German Goaltender, Endras

While it's too early to predict if today's signing of free agent German goaltender Dennis Endras will will yield the same results as the arrival of Backstrom, Wild Director of Professional Scouting Blair Mackasey is very excited about the newest addition to the team's goaltending corps.

"Dennis is very athletic and competitive," said Mackasey, who saw Endras play at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. "He had an outstanding season last year, and we're excited to land him. Right now, he gives us depth at the goaltender position and in time, he should develop into a starting NHL goalie."

Endras joins the Wild on a one-year, two-way contract for the 2010-2011 season. He was highly sought after coming off a spectacular showing at the World Championship held in his home country of Germany.

almost 2 years ago nathaneide 15 comments 0 recs |

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Okay.

I hadn’t heard of him until just this moment. Of course, I didn’t follow the WC at all this year.

by Krotz the Wall on Jul 7, 2010 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

From Russo

In an email, Chuck Fletcher was more definitive than my last tweet: He says Endras WILL return to Germany and come over for 2011-12 season

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by nathaneide on Jul 7, 2010 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

This apparently is a bigger deal than I originally thought. Didn’t put any thought into whatsoever when it came across, but now…

Thinking about it, one way or another, Harding is gone next season. Trade or free agency, he will be gone, so now they have Khudobin as the back up, and Hackett all alone in Houston, with perhaps Kuemper. This adds more depth to a position they are currently strong at, but won’t be strong at for long.

Solid move. Well done.

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by BReynolds on Jul 7, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yup, good move!

If he can be the next Backstrom, I’m all for it. I just hope if he’s any good we can re-sign him next year, but Fletch did well to lock him up for us!

It also gives us more options for trades. If we do trade Hards (or Backs, though HIGHLY unlikely), we will still have amazing depth in net.

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by JSLandry on Jul 7, 2010 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions

NTC

I’m pretty sure Backstrom has a No Trade Clause, so the odds of a trade diminish significantly, more so when you figure in he looked fairly mediocre last year at a tag price of $6 million per season.

As for Harding, it doesn’t look good as far as trades go. There are still a lot of free agent goalies on the market that didn’t have hip surgery and the questions that come with any injury. I really wish we could lock up Harding long-term, and just wait out Backstrom’s contract. If I remember correctly, his NTC is only through this and next season. The final year of his deal he can be traded.

by JDesthubert on Jul 8, 2010 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Harding was playing hurt at the wrong time

Unfortunately Josh was on IR at the trade deadline so there was no opportunity to move him this season. Come next year other teams will be looking — Philly is still backing Leighton and the Sharks signed Nittymaki — they’re going to be looking for options if they’re still in the hunt next season.

I think the problem is that while Josh can be absolutely amazing when he’s on his game, he tends to get hurt quite frequently.

by SpaethCo on Jul 8, 2010 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions