The Minnesota Wild may be open to trading one of their promising young goaltenders, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. Jesper Wallstedt, a top contender for the Calder Trophy in 2025-26, has emerged as a potential trade chip for the Wild as they look to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run.
This news comes after the Wild made a significant move last month, acquiring Quinn Hughes in a blockbuster trade that saw Marco Rossi, Liam Öhgren, Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft head to Vancouver. This trade signaled General Manager Bill Guerin's commitment to a "win-now" approach, and the potential willingness to part with Wallstedt further underscores this strategy.
Friedman suggested on the "32 Thoughts" podcast that the Wild might be targeting a center. With Filip Gustavsson locked in as the team's number one goalie with a five-year, $34 million extension, Guerin may feel he has the flexibility to move Wallstedt to address other needs.
Wallstedt's impressive performance this season has made him an attractive asset for other teams. He is 12-5-4 with a 2.70 GAA and .914 SV% on the season. His November performance was particularly noteworthy, as he went 6-0-0 with a 1.14 GAA and a .967 save percentage.
While trading Wallstedt would be a significant move, the Wild's prospect pool remains deep. However, after Wallstedt, there aren't many promising goalies in the system, so the Wild would have to acquire a backup if Wallstedt is traded.
The Wild have over $12.9 million in trade deadline cap space, providing them with ample room to take on another high-salaried player. While it is still unknown which center the Wild might pursue, names like Nazem Kadri and Vincent Trocheck have been mentioned in connection to the Wild.
Trading Wallstedt would be a calculated risk for the Wild. Goalie prospects are known to be unpredictable, and Wallstedt has the potential to be a star in the league. However, landing a top-line center who can play alongside Kirill Kaprizov or Matt Boldy could be the missing piece that elevates the Wild into a true Stanley Cup contender.
Ultimately, the decision to trade Wallstedt will depend on the offers Guerin receives and his assessment of the team's long-term needs. With the trade deadline approaching, it will be interesting to see if the Wild make another big splash.
