Briere48

Josh Harding knows an open net when he sees one.

The Regina-born goalie is in line for a big-league promotion after the Minnesota Wild traded starter Manny Fernandez to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, picking up another ex-Regina Pats star, Czech winger Petr Kalus, and a fourth-round draft pick.

The net result is that Niklas Backstrom, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, has inherited the No. 1 job while Harding becomes the full-time backup -- in theory, anyway.

"You can never take anything for granted," Harding said Monday from his cabin at Katepwa Lake. "It doesn't change anything. I was going to work hard and get in the best shape I can no matter what happens. If I can come to camp ready to play, I think I might get an opportunity to show what I can do (at the NHL level).

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

The Backstrom-Harding combination was a productive one down the stretch last season while Fernandez nursed a knee injury which never allowed him to return to full strength

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