The Minnesota Wild may not be finished reshaping their roster after pulling off one of the biggest trades of the season. Fresh off acquiring star defenseman Quinn Hughes, the Wild sit second in the Central Division and have won three of their last five games, putting themselves firmly in the playoff conversation.
As the franchise eyes its deepest postseason run in nearly a decade, NHL insiders believe general manager Bill Guerin could be willing to make another bold and controversial move.
Insider Weighs In as Wild Consider Bold Move
Last month, the Wild sent a strong message by pulling off a blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes. They gave up center Marco Rossi, forward Liam Öhgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The move made it clear that Bill Guerin is fully committed to a win-now approach.
That aggressive mindset may not stop there. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested on the “32 Thoughts” podcast that Minnesota could even look to use prized goaltender Jesper Wallstedt as a significant trade chip.
Wallstedt is a top Calder Trophy contender for 2025–26, highlighted by a November in which he went 6-0-0 with a 1.14 GAA and a .967 save percentage.
“The Wild gonna try to get another player, probably a center,” Friedman said. “We’re sitting there saying, what he’s gonna use. I think that might be the guy (Wallstedt). I’m not crazy about it either. I mean, it depends on what else you’re gonna do part of that, but if you’re all in to win and you got Gustavsson signed, when someone said to me was if it happens, you’ll understand why.”
Friedman added that while the idea might raise eyebrows, it could make sense if the return justifies the risk. If Minnesota truly goes all-in, the move would be easier to understand.
Filip Gustavsson’s Contract Changes the Equation
A major factor in this discussion is Filip Gustavsson’s long-term future in Minnesota. The Wild’s starting goaltender is set to begin a five-year, $34 million extension next season. It will keep him under contract through 2031.
Gustavsson is now locked in as the clear No. 1. The Wild have stability in net. That security could give Guerin the flexibility to use Wallstedt as a trade asset, even if it means parting with a proven and promising young goalie.
While moving a player of Wallstedt’s caliber isn’t without risk, goalie prospects are famously unpredictable. On the flip side, landing a legitimate top-line center who can control the game alongside Kirill Kaprizov or Matt Boldy remains one of the toughest puzzles to solve in the NHL.
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For now, the Wild’s attention stays on the ice as they get set to take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
