Jesper Wallstedt may not be untouchable ahead of the trade deadline.
The 23-year-old netminder debuted in the 35th and final position on the updated TSN Trade Bait board, with a chance the Wild could look to sell high on the 2021 first-round pick.
“The chances of trading one of this year’s top candidates for the Calder Trophy may be slim and none, but if the Wild wants to make a big move it may require moving a big asset,” TSN Hockey Contributor Steve Dryden wrote Thursday. “A reminder that Minnesota’s No. 1 goalie Filip Gustavsson signed a five-year, $6.8-million AAV contract that kicks in next season.”
Wallstedt, who was named to Sweden’s Olympic team alongside Gustavsson earlier this month, has a 12-5-4 record with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in his first full NHL season.
He has struggled in the new year, posting a 1-3-1 record this month with a .865 save percentage and a 4.42 GAA.
Gustavsson, 27, has a 16-9-5 record this season with a .910 save percentage and a 2.56 GAA.
The Wild remain on a collision course with the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs, with both teams 12 points back of the Colorado Avalanche for first in the Central Division and nine points ahead of the Utah Mammoth.
Minnesota has already taken one massive swing this season, acquiring star defenceman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium and a 2026 first-round pick.
General manager Bill Guerin may continue to be aggressive as he tries to push the franchise beyond the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
To date this season, only Wallstedt and Gustavsson have started games for the Wild. Veteran netminder Cal Petersen is among the depth options within the organization beyond the dominant duo.
