Harding (illness) is expected to retire when his contract with the Wild expires this summer, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "I wouldn't walk to speak for him, but he has bigger issues than just hockey," GM Chuck Fletcher said Monday. Fletcher is more than likely alluding to Harding's much-publicized battle with multiple sclerosis, a disease for which he suffered another setback during a game with AHL Iowa in December. The 30-year-old Harding entered the recently-completed season with some promise after posting an 18-7-3 record, 1.65 GAA, and .933 save percentage over 29 starts with the Wild in 2013-14, but an off-ice injury suffered during a fight with a teammate in training camp squandered his chances of winning a spot with the NHL club. Given the multiple setbacks Harding has suffered with MS the last few years, few teams will be interested in pursuing him when he becomes a free agent this summer, which may effectively force him into retirement regardless of his personal decision.