There was a time when Matt Hackett was on his way to becoming an established NHL backup goalie.



Hackett had a standout junior career with the Plymouth Whalers, posting a .925 save percentage over 56 games in his final season in 2010. Drafted in the third round of the 2009 NHL entry draft by the Minnesota Wild, Hackett progressed quickly within the organization, debuting for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, in the 2010-11 season as a 20-year-old.



He had a strong rookie campaign, earning a .916 save percentage over 45 games played.



In his sophomore professional season, after posting another strong .917 save percentage in the AHL, Hackett stepped in as an injury replacement for the Wild and stuck, racking up a .922 save percentage in 12 starts as Minnesota’s backup.



But his progression would come to a halt in a split second.



After being dealt to the Buffalo Sabres, in a package for Jason Pominville, Hackett was given the...