Minnesota's Backstrom Undergoes Minor Surgery: Niklas Backstrom underwent minor surgery to help repair an injured ankle, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (Updated 04/19/2012)
Injury Report
Ankle - (Updated - 4/8/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Niklas Backstrom appeared in just 46 games this season, posting a 19-18-7 record with a .919 save percentage. Getting this taken care of so early in the offseason will help his chances of being ready to go next season, but it's still something to keep an eye on. (Updated 04/19/2012).
05/21/2012 17:30 Ducks sign Swedish goalie of the year Viktor Fasth to one-year contract
The Anaheim Ducks announced on Monday they have signed Swedish goalie Viktor Fasth to a one-year contract that is reportedly worth $1 million. He was the goalie of the year in Sweden in each of the past two seasons.
05/09/2012 22:19 Capitals bounce back, force Game 7
Alex Ovechkin rebounded from a rare zero-shot performance by scoring after 88 seconds Wednesday night, Braden Holtby made 30 saves, and the Washington Capitals recovered from a potentially devastating loss by beating the top-seeded New York Rangers 2-1 to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
A drawback to owning Backstrom in fantasy leagues is that he usually has to be at his very best to show up in the win column. Case in point, the Wild have been among the 10 worst in team goals allowed per game in each of the past three seasons. Also, the Finnish netminder wrapped up the 2010-11 season with a losing record (22-23-5) for the first time in his career, but his peripheral stats (916 save percentage; 2.66 goals-against average) were decent considering he endured a pitiful 4.30 GAA in his last 12 games. The acquisitions of Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi from the Sharks should lend Backstrom more offensive support, but one can only hope a shoulder injury that he played through for most of last year is a non-issue for 2011-12. (Updated 10/4/11)
