General Manager Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild faces a potentially franchise-altering decision ahead of the March 6th trade deadline: whether to trade promising young goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to acquire a top-six forward. The Wild's pursuit of a high-impact center or winger has intensified, and Wallstedt's name has emerged as a key trade chip.
Wallstedt, drafted 20th overall by the Wild in 2021, is currently in the first year of a two-year, $4.4 million contract. The 23-year-old has posted a 12-5-4 record with a 2.70 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and four shutouts in 21 starts this season. Despite Wallstedt's solid performance, the Wild have Filip Gustavsson signed to a five-year, $34 million extension that begins in 2026-27. Gustavsson, 27, has a .908 save percentage in 33 games this season and is likely to be Minnesota's primary option in the playoffs.
Several factors contribute to the possibility of trading Wallstedt. Firstly, the Wild are looking to compete with Central Division rivals like Colorado and Dallas and are willing to make aggressive moves to do so. Secondly, after trading significant assets for Quinn Hughes in December 2025 and David Jiricek in November 2024, the Wild's prospect pool has been somewhat depleted. Wallstedt represents one of their most valuable and tradable assets.
If the Wild are indeed considering trading Wallstedt, they would likely seek a legitimate star in return, specifically a top-line center. While veteran centers like Nazem Kadri, Vincent Trocheck, Brayden Schenn, Boone Jenner, and Ryan O'Reilly have been mentioned in trade rumors, it's unlikely Wallstedt would be part of a package for any of them. Instead, the Wild would likely target a true number one center in their prime, such as Robert Thomas, Elias Pettersson, or even Jack Hughes.
Among potential trade destinations, the New Jersey Devils could benefit from adding Wallstedt, given their struggles with goaltending consistency. However, with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen already under contract, fitting Wallstedt into their long-term plans might be challenging.
Trading Wallstedt would carry significant risk. He has the potential to become one of the league's best goalies, and parting with him could haunt the Wild for years to come. However, if the Wild believe Gustavsson is their long-term solution in net and that acquiring a top-six forward is essential for their Stanley Cup aspirations, trading Wallstedt might be a gamble worth taking.
Furthermore, if Wallstedt is traded, the Wild would need to find a new backup goalie. One intriguing possibility is the return of Marc-Andre Fleury, who has expressed interest in un-retiring and rejoining the Wild.
Ultimately, the decision to trade Wallstedt is a complex one with both risks and rewards. Guerin's choice will likely depend on his evaluation of the Wild's current roster, their long-term goals, and the potential return they could receive for their prized goaltending prospect.
