Minnesota Wild Nears $34 Million Deal with Goaltender Gustavsson
The Minnesota Wild are reportedly finalizing a five-year extension worth $34 million with starting goaltender Filip Gustavsson, as confirmed by sources to ESPN on Saturday. This development marks the second significant move for the Wild in just a week, following the record-breaking eight-year deal worth $136 million signed by star winger Kirill Kaprizov on March 12, 2024.
Gustavsson, 27, is entering the final year of his previous contract, which pays him $3.75 million annually. He had a standout season last year, emerging as one of the most reliable goaltenders in the National Hockey League (NHL). In a career-high 58 games, he recorded a record of 31 wins, 19 losses, and 6 overtime losses, along with a goals-against average of 2.56 and a save percentage of .914. His impressive performance earned him a sixth-place finish in the Vezina Trophy voting, with two third-place votes.
Gustavsson’s Journey in the NHL
Originally selected in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gustavsson spent his first two seasons with the Ottawa Senators. He was traded to Minnesota in 2022 in exchange for veteran goalie Cam Talbot. Initially, he shared goaltending duties with veteran Marc-Andre Fleury but took over as the Wild’s primary starter when Fleury announced his retirement this summer.
Entering the upcoming season, Jesper Wallstedt, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2021, is expected to serve as Gustavsson’s backup. The pending contract extension indicates that the Wild are strategically securing their core players under the age of 30 on long-term deals. Alongside Kaprizov, other key players include Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Brock Faber.
Moreover, Minnesota has several emerging talents on entry-level contracts, such as Liam Ohgren, David Jiricek, and Zeev Buium, who are anticipated to make significant contributions this season.
Competitive Landscape Ahead for the Wild
This contract comes at a time when many analysts describe the goaltending market as particularly thin. The Wild, who finished fourth in the Central Division last season, are preparing for a highly competitive upcoming year, especially after experiencing a first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights. As the team solidifies its roster, all eyes will be on how Gustavsson and his teammates perform in their quest for postseason success.
By securing Gustavsson’s future, the Minnesota Wild are not only investing in a key player but also demonstrating their commitment to building a strong foundation for sustained competitiveness in the NHL.
