{"id":498666,"date":"2026-03-11T21:04:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/498666\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:04:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:04:06","slug":"nhl-rumors-wild-could-revisit-blockbuster-trade-in-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/498666\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumors: Wild Could Revisit Blockbuster Trade in Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Minnesota<\/a>
The Minnesota Wild<\/a> walked out of the trade deadline with more depth, more grit, and one very important piece still in the organization: Jesper Wallstedt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For weeks, Wallstedt\u2019s name hovered over Minnesota\u2019s search for a top-six center, with the club linked to bigger swings up front, but Bill Guerin ultimately chose not to cash in one of the organization\u2019s biggest future assets for a deadline splash.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead, the Wild added around the edges with players like Bobby Brink, Nick Foligno, Jeff Petry, Michael McCarron, and Robby Fabbri, while holding onto Wallstedt and their top-end futures.<\/p>\n

Wild Trade Deadline Left Jesper Wallstedt Untouched<\/p>\n

That does not mean the Jesper Wallstedt chatter is gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It might have just got delayed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier reporting made it clear Minnesota was open to discussing Wallstedt in the right deal, especially for a legitimate center, and Dave Pagnotta<\/a> said over the weekend that the Wild could circle back to exploring a Wallstedt move in the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jesper Wallstedt\u2019s lateral movement here outta nowhere, all-worldly. Wallstedt having a statement game right now. This guy loves the pressure. #mnwild<\/a> <\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/QNeGNer9ZU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Jablonski (@Jabs_13) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The club showed interest in center help, including Vincent Trocheck, but never found a price point it liked enough to part with Wallstedt. Guerin later said the asking prices on premium targets were \u201cextremely high,\u201d and that the Wild still had to be responsible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Summer Could Reopen Jesper Wallstedt Trade Talks<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old has already shown why teams covet him, and recent returns against top competition have only fueled that belief.<\/p>\n

Minnesota also has Filip Gustavsson in place, which gives the front office flexibility if the right center becomes available once the market resets in the offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That feels like the big difference here. The Wild did not want to force a move in March, especially after already making a franchise-shifting swing earlier in the season for Quinn Hughes, but they also did not shut the door on using Wallstedt later if a better opportunity opens up. <\/p>\n

In his first full NHL season, Wallstedt has recorded a .911 save percentage, 2.81 GAA, four shutouts, and a 14-6-5 record across 25 starts.<\/p>\n

Jesper Wallstedt becomes the second-fastest goalie to reach five career shutouts, needing only 15 games to get there \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

He trails only Frank Brimsek, who accomplished the feat in nine games back in 1938.<\/p>\n

(HT @NHL<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/DJ6473ItZp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BarDown (@BarDown) December 3, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

In the short term, the Wild are heading into the stretch run with a deeper roster but still some questions down the middle, especially after watching the Colorado Avalanche land Nazem Kadri.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Minnesota protected its future at the deadline and avoided a move it could regret, but Wallstedt remains one of the most valuable trade chips they have.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If Guerin goes star hunting again this summer, his top goalie prospect could be right back in the middle of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Photo Credit:\u00a0Matt Blewett-Imagn Images<\/p>\n