Latest On Jesper Wallstedt, Wild Goaltending
The Minnesota Wild could be considering a shift in their crease.
After making the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 season, General Manager Bill Guerin is going to want to ensure he can elevate his team further beyond that threshold with the current core of players he has built. Among moves the Wild could make, Elliotte Friedman on the FAN Hockey Show said that he doesn’t think Minnesota is going to move off goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, and that Filip Gustavsson would be the netminder in consideration to trade. The discussion originated from an article in The Athletic, which reported that Minnesota had offered Wallstedt in a package deal for Blues center Robert Thomas at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
The discussion originated from an article in The Athletic, which reported that Minnesota had offered Wallstedt in a package deal for Blues center Robert Thomas at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Since opting to keep their 23-year old goaltender, Wallstedt split the workload down the stretch of the regular season, playing 10 games, as did Gustavsson. But Wallstedt earned his keep, tallying a .930 save percentage and a 1.98 goals against average to end the regular season. In the playoffs, Gustavsson saw one game to Wallstedt’s 10 in between the pipes, where the rookie goaltender averaged 29.9 saves throughout that stretch.
However, that workload didn’t come without reason. In Minnesota’s end-of-season press conference, it was announced that Gustavsson will undergo offseason hip surgery. Furthermore, the Wild are not sure if he’ll be able to play by the start of next season. This development brings complications to Minnesota and its approach to how it can progress in its offseason moves.
Gustavsson and Wallstedt took up only 6.2% of the Wild’s cap hit in 2025-26, but it won’t be that low for long. Amid Minnesota’s transition in net, having lost Marc-Andre Fleury to retirement, extended Gustavsson to a five-year, $34MM ($6.8MM) contract back on October 4th, 2025, which is set to kick in next year. Despite the decrease in workload due to his injury down the stretch, the 27-year-old Swede still went 28-15-6 through 50 games in 2025-26, posting a .904 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average. He started one playoff game, a 5-2 Game 2 loss to Colorado en route to Minnesota’s second-round exit.
Gustavsson’s extension carries a no-movement clause in the first two seasons of his deal, meaning Guerin would have to get him to waive that clause if a deal were to get done. However, based on comments made at the Wild’s presser, it doesn’t seem like they’re eager to move off either ‘No. 1 goalies,’ a combination that has been fruitful for them so far. Furthermore, the tandem has a good dynamic as natives of Sweden who both represented their country at the past Olympics in Milan.
However, despite the early commitment to having a solidified duo in net for the foreseeable future, Minnesota will have to decide if it is comfortable in keeping both netminders and risking the opportunity of trading for a big-name center pass them by if they decide to stand pat and wait for Gustavsson’s status post-surgery. Top-line centers don’t come across the market often, but management has recently demonstrated that they’re unfazed by making a move to acquire a star.
The Wild have a little over $13MM in cap space this summer, with the eight-year, $136MM ($17MM AAV) extension of Kirill Kaprizov beginning and the ability to extend another key piece in superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. Some creativity will need to be employed as this contending window has elevated itself for the Wild in its quest for the State of Hockey’s first Stanley Cup.
Minnesota will need to make decisions on a hefty list of pending free agents, including unrestricted forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Nick Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, Michael McCarron, Marcus Johansson, Robby Fabbri, and defensemen Zach Bogosian, as well as Jeff Petry. Add forward Bobby Brink, who they acquired at the deadline from Philadelphia, and defenseman Daemon Hunt as restricted free agents; that totals 10 skaters that will surely keep the front office pretty wild this summer.
Wild Name Jacksonville Icemen New ECHL Affiliate
The Minnesota Wild have reshaped the lower tier of their developmental pipeline, officially announcing a multi-year ECHL affiliation agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The Icemen will now serve as the primary ECHL home for Minnesota’s prospects, filtering talent up to the AHL’s Iowa Wild. Jacksonville takes over the role from the Iowa Heartlanders, who recently requested and received approval from the ECHL Board of Governors for a voluntary suspension of operations for the upcoming season.
A voluntary suspension allows a franchise to temporarily pause on-ice operations without forfeiting its league membership. The Heartlanders’ ownership group intends to use the hiatus to evaluate strategic alternatives, seek out potential new investment partners, and restructure the front office to secure a more viable, long-term economic foundation in Coralville. With the Heartlanders stepping away for at least the year, Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin had to look elsewhere to keep the organization’s three-tier development system intact.
In Jacksonville, the Wild land a highly stable partner. The Icemen have led the ECHL in sellouts over the last four seasons at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, providing a vibrant minor league environment for incoming prospects. Jacksonville also brings plenty of experience dealing with the upper ranks, having previously served as the ECHL affiliate for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, and Winnipeg Jets.
For Minnesota, shifting its ECHL pipeline to Florida represents a significant geographic leap from their previous local setup in America’s Heartland. However, partnering with a robust, high-attendance franchise like the Icemen offers a reliable, top-tier development environment for the Wild’s young depth pieces while the Iowa Heartlanders navigate their corporate future.
Minnesota Wild Eyeing An Upgrade At Center
During today’s end-of-season press conference, Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin shed some light on his plans for the Wild this offseason. After a second-round exit at the hands of Cup-favorite Colorado, Guerin knows there’s work to be done if Minnesota is going to capture the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Guerin said re-signing Quinn Hughes is “priority one” this summer, as reported by Joe Smith of The Athletic. Guerin also talked about how much Hughes liked it there and how much of an impact he had on the team. This comes just days after the Wild’s superstar said he was “open to” an extension in Minnesota.
Guerin also addressed his desire to upgrade the Wild’s top six this offseason, specifically down the middle. “I won’t sit on my hands,” Guerin said when asked about acquiring a number one center this offseason, as reported by Michael Russo with the Athletic. Guerin being asked about acquiring a center was somewhat anticipated, as it was reported over the weekend that Minnesota made an offer for the Blues’ top center, Robert Thomas, around the deadline.
Now, aside from Thomas, the only true number one center whose name has started to circulate in trade rumors is Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. Should the former 69-goal scorer truly become available, Guerin, along with 31 other General Managers, will likely make their bid. However, just because the trade market may not be full of superstar centermen, it does not mean there are no options for the Wild to make some upgrades down the middle. Here are a few options that might be on the market this offseason, according to Daily Faceoff’s Trade Board:
- Vincent Trocheck, NYR: The 32-year-old Rangers center has been mentioned in trade rumors for months, and as previously noted, New York is looking to move on from his contract, three years remaining at a $5.63MM AAV. Trocheck brings exactly the kind of game that fits a playoff-bound team: he’s a reliable two-way center with a strong faceoff record and legitimate playoff experience. While he may not be a true number one option, slotting him into Minnesota’s top six would push everyone down a line and significantly upgrade the Wild’s center depth. The asking price (a first-round pick, top prospect, and additional asset) is steep but not unrealistic for a team desperate to address a weakness. Trochek had 53 points in 67 regular-season games for the Rangers this past season.
- Shane Wright, SEA: The former fourth-overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft is a different kind of swing entirely. Wright is just 22 years old and represents a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix, which makes Seattle’s willingness to move him surprising. Acquiring Wright would give Minnesota a young, controllable center to build around alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, though the Kraken’s asking price would likely be large given his age and potential. This is the upside play, a bet on what Wright could become rather than what he is today. Wright had 27 points this past season in 74 games played.
- Mason McTavish, ANA: The former third-overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft signed a long-term extension with the Ducks last offseason, but the 22-year-old took a step back in his first year on the new deal and has reportedly drawn interest on the trade market as a result. Despite the down year, McTavish still brings the size, physicality, and pedigree that would translate well to the Western Conference. A change of scenery alongside Minnesota’s young core could be exactly what unlocks his game, making him an intriguing buy-low candidate. It would be interesting to see what Anaheim’s asking price for McTavish would be, given his $7MM cap hit combined with a noticeable regression in his production. During the 2025-26 regular season, McTavish tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games.
- Elias Pettersson, VAN: The biggest question mark of the group of potential center targets for the Wild. After being part of the Hughes trade discussions previously, reports out of Vancouver suggest the Canucks may finally be open to moving the 27-year-old Swedish center. Pettersson carries a massive $11.6MM cap hit through 2031-32, which complicates any deal significantly, and his production has dipped significantly since his 102-point season back in 2022-23. That said, if any team has the assets and motivation to take a swing, it’s the Wild. Reuniting Pettersson with Hughes in Minnesota would be an interesting move, though the contract alone makes this a long shot. The question remains if Pettersson is just in desperate need of a change of scenery, or if his best hockey is already behind him.
Guerin says he won’t sit on his hands. Wild fans will be holding him to it. After years of early playoff exits and missed opportunities at the deadline, this offseason represents the clearest chance yet for Minnesota to finally swing big and address the necessary upgrades to its center group.
Wild’s Filip Gustavsson To Undergo Offseason Hip Surgery
The Minnesota Wild will be facing some immediate uncertainty in the crease this summer. General manager Bill Guerin announced on Monday that goaltender Filip Gustavsson is set to undergo offseason hip surgery as soon as possible.
Guerin added that the team does not yet know if Gustavsson will be cleared in time for training camp, noting that a definitive timeline won’t be established until after the procedure is completed.
The timing of the surgery adds a layer of complexity to the Wild’s goaltending blueprint. Gustavsson, 27, is set to enter the first season of a five-year, $34 million contract extension that runs through the 2030-31 season. Over his 50 regular-season appearances this year, the 6-foot-3 netminder served as Minnesota’s primary option, locking down a 28-15-4 record alongside a 2.69 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage, and four shutouts.
However, despite carrying the workload during the regular season, Gustavsson was largely relegated to the bench during the postseason. He made just a single appearance during the Wild’s second-round exit against the Colorado Avalanche, allowing four goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 Game 2 loss. Instead, Minnesota leaned heavily on highly-touted rookie Jesper Wallstedt down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Through 192 career games across four seasons with the Wild organization, Gustavsson has compiled an admirable 101-61-23 record to go with a .911 save percentage and 15 shutouts. If his recovery stretches into the fall, Wallstedt would almost certainly inherit the undisputed starting duties to open the 2026-27 campaign, with Minnesota potentially needing to search the bargain market for short-term depth.
Michael McCarron Is Opening To Remaining With Wild
- Heading into the offseason, the Minnesota Wild have six forwards on the roster that are set to hit unrestricted free agency in a few weeks. According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, trade deadline acquisition Michael McCarron would like to say, but for the right price. McCarron was humbled that the Wild pursued them as aggressively as they did at the deadline, but also noted that he’s at a point in his career where he’d like some security. Given his playstyle, he may pursue a contract similar to William Carrier of the Carolina Hurricanes, who favored term over AAV a few years ago.
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Wild Tried To Acquire Robert Thomas At Trade Deadline
An impactful top center has been atop Minnesota’s wish list for many years now. While Joel Eriksson Ek is a quality top-six middleman, they haven’t been able to find the pivot to help round out their top six. It appears that they attempted to do so before the trade deadline, however, with Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reporting (subscription link) that the Wild made a pitch to acquire Robert Thomas from the Blues. Included in the proposed package were goaltender Jesper Wallstedt and center Danila Yurov.
Back in March, the expectation was that the Blues were seeking at least three top-15-level assets (players, prospects, or draft picks) plus maybe more if they were going to part with Thomas. Wallstedt and Yurov, though both picked just outside the top-15, probably would meet the criteria, but it’s unclear what else Minnesota was offering in their package. Their 2026 first-round pick was moved in the Quinn Hughes trade earlier this season, making their 2027 first a logical piece, although it’s unlikely that the Wild will be in the back of the lottery next summer.
Thomas would certainly have been a needle-mover for Minnesota. The 26-year-old surpassed the 80-point mark in 2023-24 and 2024-25 and would have had a chance to do so this season had he not missed 18 games due to injury. Still, Thomas put up 64 points in 64 outings. He also took a regular turn on the penalty kill and would have given Minnesota an all-around impactful center, one who is signed through 2030-31 at an $8.125MM AAV that will become even more team-friendly in the coming years.
That said, it’s understandable that the Blues wouldn’t view Wallstedt and Yurov as being viable centerpieces of a trade for their best forward. It’s not that neither is a quality player but rather that the fit on the roster is less certain.
Wallstedt’s first full NHL season was a successful one. He worked his way into a platoon with Filip Gustavsson, getting into 35 games during the regular season where he had a solid 2.65 GAA with a .915 SV% along with four shutouts. He then took over as the starter for Minnesota’s playoff run, compiling a 2.77 GAA and a .909 SV%, numbers that are skewed by the opening game of the Colorado series that saw him allow eight goals. But while he’s certainly a quality young goaltender, St. Louis has Joel Hofer in the mix already and are likely envisioning him as their goalie of the future. He and Wallstedt would make for an enticing tandem, but moving a top center for a tandem piece might not be the most practical for them.
As for Yurov, he had a decent first season in North America. The 22-year-old potted 12 goals and 15 assists in 73 games, playing primarily in the bottom six. He also stuck down the middle all season although there are some questions about his ability to stay there long-term. That’s where the fit with the Blues becomes less certain. Yes, he’s a promising player but if St. Louis is going to move their top center, they’d probably prefer a youngster coming back who is more of a safer bet to be a top-six middleman down the road.
Given that Minnesota’s need still exists and Wallstedt’s value is likely higher now than it was back at the deadline based on his playoff performance, it wouldn’t be entirely shocking to see GM Bill Guerin circle back on this. And if it doesn’t pan out, the two youngsters represent intriguing trade chips to try to bring in a quality center to make their roster that much more dangerous.
Wild Notes: Foligno, Brodin, Hynes
In this morning’s end-of-season media availability, veteran forward Nick Foligno touched on his future with the Minnesota Wild and his playing future in general. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Foligno stated that he would love to return to the Wild next season, but will first decide whether he wants to continue playing.
Minnesota acquired the 38-year-old Foligno at the deadline in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. He performed admirably, scoring one goal and adding four points in 17 regular-season contests, with two additional goals and three points in 11 postseason games. His two playoff goals came in the series-clinching loss against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of Round Two.
There’s no surprise that retirement is a legitimate question for Foligno. As soon as the Wild acquired him, it had all the makings of a swan song, playing out the final days of his career with his brother, Marcus Foligno. Fortunately for Minnesota, should Foligno return, it’ll assuredly be on a much cheaper deal than his current $4.5MM salary.
Additional notes from the Wild:
- According to Joe Smith of The Athletic, defenseman Jonas Brodin revealed his playoff ailment to the media. Brodin shared that he broke a toe bone after blocking a shot in Round One, a fracture that required surgery. It’s more of the same for Brodin, who has not registered 70 or more games in a single season since the 2021-22 campaign.
- Unsurprisingly, Russo indicated that head coach John Hynes isn’t expected to depart this offseason. The question is fairly typical after a team is bounced from the playoffs, especially a team as talented as the Wild. Hynes has been the main bench boss in Minnesota since the 2023-24 campaign, guiding them to a 125-78-24 record (.604 W%) in that time.
Quinn Hughes “Open To” Extension In Minnesota
In his end of season media availability today, superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is “definitely open to re-signing” with the Minnesota Wild. (quote via Joe Smith of The Athletic) He also indicated that he would prefer to get a contract signed over the summer, but it isn’t a requirement. Hughes expressed confidence in GM Bill Guerin’s ability to construct a championship-caliber team, and said he likes playing in Minnesota, his teammates, and his interactions with management.
Hughes’ status is the single most important storyline surrounding the Wild, and it will be until he either signs an extension or departs the team in any manner.
Hughes is one of the game’s very best defensemen, and the Wild surrendered a major package of assets including young players, prospects, and draft picks, in order to acquire him, even with less than two years of team control remaining at the time.
With franchise forward Kirill Kaprizov committed on an expensive new contract, the Wild are locked into trying to compete for a Stanley Cup in the immediate future. Re-signing Hughes is essential to maximizing those efforts.
Smith and colleague Michael Russo wrote this morning that “it wouldn’t be a surprise for Hughes to sign a three-year extension this summer,” as such a term would align Hughes’ deal with the expiry of his brother Jack Hughes‘ contract with the New Jersey Devils. Doing so would allow for a timeline where the two older Hughes brothers could decide where to play together – forming a kind of superstar package deal unlike any other in NHL history.
As for what Hughes might be able to earn on his next contract, there really isn’t an upper ceiling on the amount of money he could command. Kaprizov’s AAV of $17MM on his next deal is unlikely to be surpassed, of course, but Hughes has just as strong of a case to earn a market-shattering AAV on his next deal as Kaprizov had. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner earned $7.85MM on his last contract, one he signed in October 2021. With the way the cap is set to rise, Hughes could conceivably push to double his AAV figure on his next deal.
The Wild’s interest in the Hughes family does not appear to stop at the eldest brother. Russo and Smith reported this morning, citing league sources, that Guerin “made a pitch to former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald” to acquire Luke Hughes this past season.
The youngest Hughes brother, who scored 35 points in 68 games in 2025-26, is under contract at a $9MM AAV through 2031-32. It seems far-fetched that the Wild will be able to unite all three, especially since Jack and Luke already play together. But at the very least they appear positioned to retain Quinn beyond next season, and given the amount Guerin had to surrender to acquire him, that’s a significant win on its own.
Many things can change between now and whenever Hughes might put his signature on an extension with the Wild. That he expressed interest in re-signing today is no guarantee that he actually does so. But after such a disappointing end to their season at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, Hughes’ comments today should come as a much-needed positive development for fans in Minnesota and the Wild organization overall.
Photos courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Latest On Wild Offseason Plans
Set to embark on their third head coaching search in the past four years after this morning’s news, the Edmonton Oilers don’t yet have their replacement lined up, and they’ll interview several candidates, reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Former Vegas bench boss Bruce Cassidy has been immediately linked to Edmonton, but even if such becomes the case, there’s other figures to consider first given the weight of decisions from here. Few teams have the pressure that’s rising in Oil-land after their first round flop.
If they wish to go all out on trying to find a spark with the clock ticking on the Connor McDavid era, Peter Laviolette is always worth a thought. The 61-year-old last served as head coach of the Rangers, leading them to a Presidents’ Trophy in year one. He was out of a job a year later, but New York has by no means found greener pastures without him yet.
Craig Berube, fired yesterday by Toronto, also has a Stanley Cup to his name. Patrick Roy and Dean Evason, both of whom had their moments on Long Island and in Columbus, are worthy candidates to make the rounds in interviews from prospective teams this summer. Finally, a longshot who will probably warrant a look, assistant Paul Coffey, if they went the internal route.
Offering a roster which needs work, but still featuring two of the premier players in the NHL, Edmonton would assumingly be on the top of Cassidy’s list as a top job for the widely considered #1 available coach. Still, the Oilers have a two year window with McDavid under contract, and they must get it right. The next coach to come to town will be his sixth, and Leon Draisaitl’s eighth.
Elsewhere across the league:
- With the off-season now in swing after last night’s crushing overtime loss to Colorado, the Minnesota Wild face big questions if they’ll take another step. Michael Russo of The Athletic wrote on what’s next for general manager Bill Guerin as he must win over Quinn Hughes, with his upcoming free agency after next year an elephant in the room. Guerin assembled what is likely the most talented roster in franchise history, but they went out unceremoniously in five games. Already thin down the middle, Joel Eriksson Ek’s injury was a major blow, and Jonas Brodin’s absence forced them to lean on Jacob Middleton, which proved costly. It figures that another big trade swing will be in order, perhaps for Robert Thomas or Vincent Trocheck, the #1 priority. Veterans Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, and Marcus Johansson’s contracts all expire this summer, not to mention trade deadline acquisitions Nick Foligno and Michael McCarron, presenting the opportunity to shake things up on the attack. Whatever’s in store, it’s not a stretch to say it’s the most important offseason in their 25 year history.
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet speculated on yesterday’s episode of 32 Thoughts Podcast that Zach Werenski would become the next Columbus Blue Jackets captain, depending on what may happen with their current “C” Boone Jenner, who is set to hit free agency. The longest tenured Jacket, Jenner broke though in 2013, during an era where R.J. Umberger was still a key contributor. 13 seasons later, his team just made a huge commitment to 34-year-old Charlie Coyle, enough to raise questions on what comes next. If Jenner is to move on, capitalizing on a dry free agent market, Werenski would have the chance to become the eighth captain in franchise history. The 28-year-old has held things down on the blue line in 642 regular seasons for Columbus, and is signed through 2027-28.
Zach Bogosian Out For Game 5, Replaced By Jeff Petry
Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian is out tonight, with Jeff Petry slotting in, noted by Michael Russo of The Athletic. The soon-to-be 36-year-old, already not the fleetest of foot, has been battling a lower body injury which cost him Game 2 of the series. In nine playoff games, he’s averaging 12:45 a night, not surprisingly coming away with no points as a traditional shutdown rearguard.
Petry, another veteran at age 38, makes his third playoff appearance of the spring for the Wild after a five year hiatus, last doing so as a Canadien in 2021. No longer a high point-getter, Petry’s possession metrics at five-on-five have actually held steady, over the 53% mark in corsi for with the Wild in a small sample size.
Down three games to one in the series, it’s fair to wonder if this could be it for either of the veterans, if unable to extend their season tonight. Petry has the distinction of being one of seven remaining active players from the 2006 draft class, while Bogosian is one of two active former Atlanta Thrashers (the other being Evander Kane). Before that’s even any possibility though, the Wild have a prime chance to capitalize on a banged up Colorado lineup.