Wild GM Chuck Fletcher categorized the foot and ankle injury that Harding sustained earlier this week as "not short term," Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher categorized the foot and ankle injury that Harding sustained earlier this week as "not short term," Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis:

The Wild are only ruling Harding out for the start of the team's training camp for now, but it seems a likely bet that he won't be available for the team's Oct. 9 regular-season opener against the Avalanche. The injury puts the Wild in a bit of a bind, as Niklas Backstrom will enter camp as the team's only NHL-ready goalie, with Darcy Kuemper continuing to negotiate a new contract with the Wild. Once healthy, Harding figures to factor into the mix for No. 1 duties, but the missed action during training camp may prove damaging to his chances.