The Minnesota Wild have been riding high on exceptional goaltending throughout the season’s opening months. Their rookie netminder has been sensational, posting numbers that seemed impossible for a first-year player.
However, the franchise couldn’t resist taking a public shot at another organization after their latest performance. The Wild’s official social media account delivered a pointed message following Tuesday night’s game.
The post referenced a draft-day decision that continues to create controversy. Minnesota made sure everyone remembered exactly how they acquired their young goaltending sensation.
Minnesota Wild Troll Oilers After Jesper Wallstedt Records Fifth Shutout
The Wild’s official X account posted a graphic celebrating Jesper Wallstedt’s shutout against Edmonton. The accompanying caption was simple but devastatingly effective: “And with the 20th pick in the 2021 NHL draft, the Minnesota Wild select…”
The post referenced the draft-day trade that made Wallstedt a member of the Wild organization. In 2021, the Oilers traded the 20th selection to Minnesota for the 22nd pick and a third-rounder.
The Wild selected Wallstedt at 20th overall, while Edmonton took Xavier Bourgault at 22nd, who has yet to play an NHL game. The Oilers used the third-rounder on Luca Münzenberger, who they never signed.
The timing of Minnesota’s trolling couldn’t have been more perfect. Wallstedt just recorded his fourth shutout of the season against the very team that passed on him. The rookie netminder victimized Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Meanwhile, Edmonton continues battling franchise-worst goaltending from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Wallstedt’s performance improved his record to 8-0-2 on the season.
The 23-year-old Swedish goaltender became the third rookie netminder in the last 45 years to begin the season with a point streak of 10 or more games. He joins Robb Stauber (10 games in 1992-93 with Los Angeles) and Bob Froese (10 games in 1982-83 with Philadelphia).
The rookie also achieved a historic milestone. Wallstedt became the first rookie goalie with four shutouts in a six-game span since Frank Brimsek of the Boston Bruins in December 1938.
Brimsek earned the nickname “Mr. Zero” and won the Vezina Trophy during his legendary rookie campaign before being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Wild’s social media team clearly understood the significance of their post.
Edmonton’s goaltending crisis has torpedoed their season despite possessing two of hockey’s best players. The Oilers posted the worst team save percentage in the NHL through the first two months of the season.
Meanwhile, the player they passed on continues shutting out opponents while his franchise publicly reminds everyone of Edmonton’s costly mistake.