According to Friedman,<\/a> Minnesota is seriously evaluating the possibility of moving its goalie of the future to address a hole up front.<\/p>\nJesper Wallstedt, 23 years old, is nonetheless having an absolutely outstanding first full season in the NHL.<\/p>\n
The Swede, selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft at 20th overall, has already established himself as a sure thing.<\/p>\n
He has already posted 12 wins and four shutouts in just 21 starts behind a significantly improved defensive group.<\/p>\n
His numbers are eye-popping as well, with a .914 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average.<\/p>\n
This sudden breakout, however, has created a major logjam in the Wild’s crease, since Filip Gustavsson already occupies plenty of space.<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Wild have reportedly placed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt on the trade market: a dream solution for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n
Minnesota fans are torn between keeping their prodigy or pushing all-in for the Stanley Cup right away.<\/p>\n
There is a palpable nervousness within the organization since the blockbuster acquisition of defenseman Quinn Hughes last December.<\/p>\n
Bill Guerin had to pay a steep price by giving up Marco Rossi, which left the team very vulnerable at the center position.<\/p>\n
Hughes’ arrival has propelled the Wild into the top three of the Central Division.<\/p>\n
Filip Gustavsson, 27, is already under contract with the club through 2031 with a hefty $6.8 million per season deal.<\/p>\n
That financial security makes Wallstedt “available” in management’s eyes as a luxury trade chip.<\/p>\n
Very few teams can boast having a goaltender of that caliber at such a low cap hit.<\/p>\n
Bill Guerin has proven he isn’t afraid of bold moves to transform his roster into a legitimate contender.<\/p>\n
What it could realistically cost the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Jesper Wallstedt<\/p>\n
If Kent Hughes calls Bill Guerin about Jesper Wallstedt, the price will be steep.<\/p>\n
Minnesota would be seeking immediate help up front, meaning a young, NHL-ready forward would likely be required, not just picks or long-term projects.<\/p>\n
A deal could involve players like Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, or Oliver Kapanen along with a first-round pick or a top prospect.<\/p>\n
The Canadiens could also sweeten the deal by including Josh Anderson with salary retention, a power forward who could thrive in the playoffs for the Wild in a rugged Western Conference.<\/p>\n
Given Wallstedt’s age, contract, and rapid emergence, this would be a major swing for Montreal, and one that would force Hughes to give up a meaningful piece of the rebuild.<\/p>\n
The coming weeks should be interesting in Minnesota before March, but it’s clear that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens absolutely need to call the Wild about Wallstedt.<\/p>\n
With Samuel Montembeault’s struggles and the lack of consistency from young Jakub Dobes, landing a goalie like Wallstedt could be massive.<\/p>\n
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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