Extension Incoming for Minnesota Wild Goalie?

The Minnesota Wild have a new level of uncertainty at the goalie position in 2024-25. After 2.5 seasons of having Marc-Andre Fleury serve as a security blanket in goal, the NHL legend retired this offseason.

That leaves all remaining net-minding duties to Filip Gustavsson — who reclaimed sole ownership of the Wild’s starting goalie job last year — along with 2021 1st round pick, Jesper Wallstedt, who’s expected to serve as his backup.

Filip Gustavsson could sign an extension with MN Wild

That’s why we could see president of hockey operations Bill Guerin secure the Wild’s only proven NHL goalie sooner than later. According to what Gustavsson told Michael Russo (The Athletic), the Wild and their No. 1 goalie plan to sit down so they can talk about the future, come September.

The Athletic spoke to Gustavsson at the European version of the NHL Player Media Tour on Friday, where he said he’s open to talking with the Wild about a future contract.

“I’ve had the conversations with my agent and all that stuff, and what we’re looking into and what we would like to do or stuff like that,” said Gustavsson…“They haven’t started actively talking to Billy or anything. When they want to talk, then we talk, and otherwise I have this year left and I’m just gonna play and win.”

Right now, Gustavsson hopes to remain with the Wild for the foreseeable future.

The Athletic

Still, Gustavsson has played 142 games for the Wild and has a 2.59 goals against average. His .914 save percentage last year was up from the 2023-24 mark, but still below the .931 save percentage in 2022-23.

Lots of Bill Guerin’s offseason to-do list remains…

Last week, Bill Guerin finally got a new contract done with young center Marco Rossi, after years of built up tension that caused a months-long standoff this summer. Their top priority, a contract extension for superstar Kirill Kaprizov, has yet to take place. That’s expected to change in short order too.

Of course, this is a big season for Gus Bus, who looks to double-down on a really good 2024-25. But it could be even more crucial for Jesper Wallstedt, a former first round pick who not that long ago was expected to be the next superstar goalie of the National Hockey League.

Gustavsson’s current deal is worth an average of $3.75 million per season. If he is to sign a new deal, he’ll be looking for nearly double that, per Russo. Will the Minnesota Wild pay that for a 27-year-old goalie who’s been up-and-down during his five years in the NHL? We could soon find out.

FILIP GUSTAVSSON GOALIE GOAL, THIS IS NOT A DRILL‼️ 🚨 pic.twitter.com/z05VMqtvnv

— ESPN (@espn) October 16, 2024

Related: Minnesota Wild Get Deal Done with Disgruntled Youngster

Wallstedt is five years the junior of Gustavsson, but has played only five NHL games and struggled badly in Iowa last year. Maybe he puts it all together this season and looks like the goalie of the future, but Gustavsson still has desires of himself factoring into that converation.

No matter who is between the pipes, their best will be required if the Minnesota Wild are going to the second round of the Stanley Cups Playoffs for the first time since 2015.