Backstrom was traded to Calgary on Monday in exchange for foward David Jones.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom has nine years of experience and it's all been spent with Minnesota. His strong ties to the club allowed him to become the team's all-time leader in wins (194). The 38-year-old hasn't played a single minute between the pipes in the NHL this season, though he did briefly serve as a backup in mid-December, when starting goalie Devan Dubnyk was out with a groin injury. It appears that Backstrom, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, has a decent shot at playing time with the Flames as the club lacks experience behind Jonas Hiller.

Backstrom has served as the Wild's backup goalie the last two games with Devan Dubnyk out with a groin injury, but is unlikely to start in back-to-back games, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like Darcy Kuemper will start Saturday at San Jose in the second of back-to-back games. Backstrom hasn't appeared in an NHL game since Jan. 13 and it sounds like the Wild are reluctant to give him a start. The Wild still hope to trade Backstrom at some point this season.

Backstrom is open to a trade if the Wild want to move him, Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom is set to make $3.4 million this season in the final year of his contract. He's the No. 3 goalie and may not get any starts behind Devan Dubnyk and Darcy Kuemper if both stay healthy. It would seem likely he'll be on the move at some point this season to a team looking for a veteran goalie.

Backstrom (elbow) made 28 saves in a shutout exhibition win Tuesday over Winnipeg. He played all three periods and overtime in his first game since Jan. 13.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom underwent surgery in May to address nerve damage in his right elbow, an injury that was so severe that it prevented him from moving two of his fingers during the Wild's first-round series against the Blackhawks. In the summer there was some thought the Wild may be able to put Backstrom on long-term IR, but he looks healthy enough to play. The Wild may be forced to keep three goalies as a result unless they can trade Backstrom as he looks set to be behind Darcy Kuemper as the primary backup to Devan Dubnyk.

Backstrom (elbow) said he was cleared by doctors last Friday to hit the ice when training camp begins later this week, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom, 37, had been dealing with complications from his right elbow since last September, when he suffered a hyperextension in an exhibition game against the Jets and later aggravated it in March. Following that setback, Backstrom underwent surgery two days later and seems to have progressed well throughout the summer, putting him on track to skate in his 10th training camp with the Wild. Despite Backstrom's improved health, the Wild may not be particularly enthused about the return of the team's all-time winningest netminder, as Devan Dubnyk (29) and Darcy Kuemper (25) are both younger and profile as better options at this point. Additionally, with Backstrom owed $4 million this season at a cap hit of $3.4 million, the Wild will have difficulty finding any trade partners, particularly with the goalie's play and health declining in recent seasons. The team may simply have to bite the bullet and carry Backstrom as a rarely used third netminder.

Backstrom (elbow) was scheduled to visit team doctors this week with the hope of receiving clearance for the start of training camp, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom required surgery over the summer to address a lingering elbow injury, and there remains some concern that he may not have healed enough to this point to take the ice when the season begins in October. In reality, it would probably be in the Wild's best interest for Backstrom to open the season on long-term injured reserve, as he's currently the No. 3 goalie on the depth chart behind Devan Dubnyk and Darcy Kuemper and carries a $3.4 million cap hit for 2015-16. Stashing Backstrom on long-term IR would allow the Wild to save a roster spot and avoid the financial hit of waiving him, as he would then be unavailable for at least the team's first 10 games.

The agent for Backstrom (elbow) acknowledged that his client likely won't be ready to play at the start of training camp in September, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Backstrom underwent surgery in May to address nerve damage in his right elbow, an injury that was so severe that it prevented him from moving two of his fingers during the Wild's first-round series against the Blackhawks. Devan Dubnyk and Darcy Kuemper had surpassed Backstrom as the Wild's two preferred goalies by that point, which likely would have made the 37-year-old a buyout candidate for the team had he been back to full health this summer. Instead, it looks like the Wild will have to wait until the start of the season to make a decision on Backstrom, with his placement on the team's long-term injured reserve list seemingly the most likely outcome. Regardless of what the Wild end up doing with Backstrom, don't expect him to see the ice with the parent club next season barring an injury to one of the top two netminders on the depth chart.

Backstrom underwent elbow surgery after the season, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Wild were considering buying Backstrom's contract out at some point this offseason, as the 37-year-old goaltender has largely outlived his usefulness for the organization at this point in his career. However, this latest development may throw a wrench in those plans, as injured players cannot be bought out unless cleared by team physicians. Minnesota will hope that Backstrom is healthy enough to be cleared before the June 30 deadline, however, if he's not, the team will likely have to keep the aging goaltender on the roster for yet another season.

Backstrom could have his contract bought out by the Wild this summer, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Backstrom is a long-time Wild icon as the franchise record holder in wins (194) and games (409), but he's outlived his usefulness for the organization at this point. The 37-year-old's $3.4 million cap hit forced the Wild to carry three goalies for much of the season, with Backstrom not seeing any appearances after Jan. 13 due to the outstanding play of Devan Dubnyk. The Wild plan to re-sign Dubnyk in the offseason and have another developmental option in Darcy Kuemper under contract for 2015-16, offering little incentive for the team to keep Backstrom around and eat up a roster spot. The team will probably first attempt to explore trading Backstrom, but given his age, large cap number, and sub-.900 save percentage over the last two seasons, it's more likely the Wild will be forced to unceremoniously release him.

Backstrom hasn't appeared in a game for the Wild since Jan. 13. With the Wild hardly secure in their position at the bottom half of the Western Conference playoff picture, coach Mike Yeo has ridden No. 1 netminder Devan Dubnyk with a heavy hand. Dubnyk has made 29 consecutive starts in net and has been dominant in most of those outings, creating little opportunity for Darcy Kuemper or Backstrom to see duty. Even if Yeo does decide to rest Dubnyk one of these days, the starting nod would more than likely go to the younger Kuemper, who fared better than Backstrom prior to Dubnyk's acquisition in January. It wouldn't be surprising if Backstrom didn't see a single appearance -- even in relief -- over the remainder of the season.