Wild, Niklas Backstrom agree on three-year contract

The Minnesota Wild have agreed to terms with goaltender Niklas Backstrom on a three-year contract, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced on Monday.Backstrom went 24-15-3 with a 2.48 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and two shutouts in 42 games (41 starts) with Minnesota during the 2012-13 season. He tied for first in the NHL in wins, tied for fifth in games played and seventh in minutes played. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of Helsinki, Finland, established a franchise-record with an eight-game winning streak from March 14-30. Despite his strong regular season, Backstrom didn't appear in a playoff game due to an injury suffered before Game 1 and underwent successful sports hernia surgery on May 16. The Wild were bounced out by the Chicago Blackhawks in five games.In his seven years with Minnesota, the 35-year-old Backstrom is 184-124-45 with a 2.43 GAA, a .917 save percentage. He is the franchise leader in wins, shutouts (38), shutout streak (157:44), games played, ...