The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Josh Harding to a 3-year $5.7 Million contract extension Tuesday.  Harding would have become a unrestricted free agent next month.  The 28-year old Harding has been a backup throughout his NHL career behind 34-year old Niklas Backstrom.  Backstrom is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 35 in February.

Harding was 13-12-4 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .917 save percentage in 34 appearances and 30 starts in 2011-2012.

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