The Minnesota Wild face a season of transition in their goaltending situation heading into the 2025-2026 NHL season. With the retirement of veteran Marc-Andre Fleury, the team is looking at a new tandem between the pipes, relying on Filip Gustavsson as the likely starter and hoping for the emergence of prospect Jesper Wallstedt.
Filip Gustavsson enters the third year of his contract with a $3.75 million yearly cap hit. The Wild are likely depending on the Swedish goaltender. In the 2024-2025 season, Gustavsson played in 42 of Minnesota's 64 games, posting a .914 save percentage. He is expected to be the primary goaltender for the upcoming season. However, some analysts suggest Gustavsson might be due for regression, pointing to a pattern of alternating between excellent and mediocre seasons. In 2022-23, Gustavsson boasted an impressive .931 save percentage, but his save percentage was just .899 in 2023-2024. Despite the concerns, Gustavsson is considered the clear No. 1 option after Fleury's departure. Last season, he set career highs in games played (58), saves (1,547), wins (31), and shutouts (5).
The biggest question mark for the Wild is Jesper Wallstedt. While Wallstedt is considered a promising young goaltender, there are questions if he is ready for a full-time role in the NHL. Wallstedt has not played his best this season and is not ready to take over for Fleury. The Wild must look outside the organization for their backup tendy next season. However, Wallstedt's development is crucial for the Wild's future, and the team may opt to give him an opportunity to prove himself as the team's future starter.
Given Wallstedt's inexperience, the Wild may explore the trade or unrestricted free agent (UFA) market to find a reliable backup. Some potential UFA options include Frederik Andersen and Vitek Vanecek. The team could also consider a short-term contract with a veteran goalie who is willing to take on a backup role.
Overall, the Wild's success in the 2025-26 season will largely depend on the performance of their goaltenders. If Gustavsson can maintain a high level of play and Wallstedt can develop into a reliable backup, the Wild could once again be a strong contender in the Western Conference. However, if the team experiences inconsistent goaltending, they could struggle to make the playoffs.
