Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Wild have a level of uncertainty when it comes to the goalie position this season. Sure, Filip Gustavsson has now been with the franchise for the past three years. That doesn’t mean the depth paired with him is as ideal.
Last season John Hynes also had the benefit of future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury as a rotational option. Flower has since retired and that puts Gus Bus in a very different situation.
The only other goalie on the MN Wild roster is Jesper Wallstedt. A coveted prospect, he’ll need to step up in a big way. Gustavsson’s presence is now more important than ever.
Filip Gustavsson could sign an extension with MN Wild
Recently the MN Wild got a new contract with young center Marco Rossi done. They are looking to sign Kirill Kaprizov to a massive contract. Filip Gustavsson could join him as an extension candidate says The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
The Wild have yet to engage Gustavsson’s camp in extension talks this offseason, but that could change as the calendar turns to September. The Athletic spoke to Gustavsson at the European version of the NHL Player Media Tour on Friday, where he said he’s open to talking with the Wild about a future contract.
“I’ve had the conversations with my agent and all that stuff, and what we’re looking into and what we would like to do or stuff like that. They haven’t started actively talking to Billy or anything. When they want to talk, then we talk, and otherwise I have this year left and I’m just gonna play and win. For the past three years, I’ve enjoyed playing there. My family loves living there, and it’s been great to me.” – Filip Gustavsson
Right now Gustavsson is on a deal that averages $3.75 million per season. He should be able to double that with his next contract, and the MN Wild’s openness to that figure will be the key.
It’s not that Gustavsson hasn’t been a staple, or wouldn’t provide a better floor than Wallstedt. The problem is that he has been streaky himself, and the Wild have yet to advance past the first round with him in net.
FILIP GUSTAVSSON GOALIE GOAL, THIS IS NOT A DRILL‼️ 🚨 pic.twitter.com/z05VMqtvnv
— ESPN (@espn) October 16, 2024
Still, Gustavsson has played 142 games for the Wild and has a 2.59 goals against average. His .914 save ercentage last year was up from the 2023-24 mark, but still below the .931 save percentage in 2022-23.
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Wallstedt is five years the junior of Gustavsson, but has played only five NHL games and struggled badly in Iowa last year. Maybe he puts it all together this season and looks like the goalie of the future, but Gustavsson still has desires of himself factoring into that converation.
No matter who is between the pipes, their best will be required if the Minnesota Wild are going to the second round of the Stanley Cups Playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Mentioned in this article: Filip Gustavsson
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