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Matt Hackett Recalled By Wild Following Josh Harding Injury

For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness.

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 06:  Matt Hackett #31 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion at San Jose on December 6, 2011 in San Jose, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 06: Matt Hackett #31 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion at San Jose on December 6, 2011 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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The Minnesota Wild took a precautionary measure on Tuesday, prior to a Wednesday matchup against the Florida Panthers. Matt Hackett was recalled due to the chance that the team could be without Josh Harding, according to the Star Tribune. Harding tweaked something in practice on Monday, according to general manager Chuck Fletcher.

It's uncertain if any injury to Harding is serious or not, but the Wild were put in a situation earlier in the season in which they had to sign a 51-year old goalie from a local beer league as an emergency backup. Who knows if Paul Deutsch could have performed in the clutch, but the Wild certainly don't want to be put in that situation again. A team has to have two dressed goaltenders.

Hackett is an interesting goalie prospect, and could actually be a potential trade option for the Wild before the deadline. They've got two strong goalies and Hackett might command a decent price on the market. He's 2-0 in three games this season, stopping 84 of 86 shots faced, with a .977 save percentage. With the trade deadline, there will be a lot of theories concerning Hackett and even Harding, but for now, it looks like Hackett is just here to be a reserve backup.

For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.