The Edmonton Oilers saw their season come to a disappointing end after a first-round playoff exit against the Anaheim Ducks in six games. Now heading into a crucial offseason, Edmonton is expected to explore major roster changes as the organization looks to quickly return to Stanley Cup contender status.
One area expected to receive serious attention is goaltending, and as it turns out, a rumored Oilers target may already be preparing for the possibility of a trade.
Oilers Trade Target Reacts to Rumors
The player generating speculation is Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild. Interestingly, Wallstedt was originally drafted using a pick that belonged to Edmonton before the Oilers traded the selection to Minnesota during the 2021 NHL Draft.
Following Minnesota’s second-round playoff exit to the Colorado Avalanche, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested that Jesper Wallstedt could become a potential target for the Edmonton Oilers, especially with Filip Gustavsson locked in as the Wild’s long-term No. 1 goalie.
The young Swedish goaltender turned in an impressive season, finishing with an 18-9-6 record, a 2.61 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage while also delivering solid performances in the postseason, making him an attractive option for teams searching for both immediate help and long-term upside in goal.
Speaking after the Minnesota Wild were knocked out of the playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche, Wallstedt acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future.
“I don’t think you’re ever safe, but I hope I made a good impression,” Wallstedt said.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo added that while Wallstedt hopes to remain in Minnesota, the current situation around the franchise makes it understandable why trade speculation continues to build.
For Edmonton, Wallstedt could represent exactly the type of long-term solution the organization has desperately searched for in net. Both Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram struggled throughout the first-round series against Anaheim, with the Oilers surrendering 23 goals in six games.
Edmonton never found consistency in goal, and the team’s defensive breakdowns only magnified the issue.
The Oilers already attempted a major gamble earlier in the season by trading Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jarry, but injuries and inconsistent play prevented the move from delivering the results Edmonton hoped for.
Now, management is facing growing criticism for failing to properly address the team’s goaltending concerns during Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s prime years.
If the Oilers can finally find stability in goal, their chances of making a serious Stanley Cup run could rise dramatically.
For now, it remains unclear whether the Oilers will aggressively pursue Wallstedt, but his name is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing storylines of Edmonton’s offseason.
