MN Wild Goalie Needs Surgery and Could Miss Games Next Season
Minnesota Wild president of hockey operations Bill Guerin, along with head coach John Hynes, gave their season-ending press conference Monday.
There, local reporters peppered the two Wild leaders with questions on everything from their soul-crushing second round playoff loss to the Colorado Avalanche to injuries entering the offseason to their plans to add more talent over the coming months.
The most surprising part of the joint GM and head coach interview came during the injury portion, when Guerin was asked if the team is dealing any injuries, beyond the ones we already know about (Bogosian, Eriksson Ek, Brodin, etc.).
Low and behold, there is. Apparently, goalie Filip Gustavsson has been dealing with a “wear and tear” injury that requires imminent surgery. But wait, there’s more.
Surprise Filip Gustavsson injury requires surgery
When asked whether or not their starting goalie in lasts regular season will be ready for the start of 2026-27, Guerin was unsure, telling gathered media that he and team doctors were waiting until the surgery is complete, before they can get a clearer view on Gustavsson’s recovery time.
Michael Russo (The Athletic) tried to confirm whether or not the injury is something to do with the soon-to-be 28-year-old’s labrum (shoulder), but Guerin declined to go that deep into the details.
Bill Guerin has just confirmed that Gustavsson was battling an injury and will require hip surgery this summer. He doesn't know whether Gus will be back at the start of the season. Makes sense why he wasn't playing up to standard….Tarasenko was also really banged up. pic.twitter.com/xDJVbZtKbl
— Amwa (@Atothetease) May 18, 2026
Guerin: “Gustavsson is going to have offseason surgery on his hip. That will be coming up as soon as possible.”
Russo: “Do you expect Gustavsson ready by the start of the year?”
Guerin: “Don’t know. We’ll see post-surgery. Umm… yeah, we’ll see post-surgery.”
Russo: “Is it a labrum, is he going out to Vail [Colorado]?”
Guerin: “I mean, do you want all the, like, injury reports and stuff like that, you want the X-rays…?”
There have been rumblings that the MN Wild may still be interested in trading Jesper Wallstedt, if it lands them the type of playmaking centerman that they so desperately need in their top-six forwards group.
Halt all Jesper Wallstedt trade rumors… right?
However, if they are concerned that Gustavsson — who finished with a 2.69 GAA and .903 save % this season, but only played in one very unsuccessful playoff loss — won’t even be ready for action by the start of the 2026-27 NHL regular season, how are they going to deal away their other starting-caliber netminder?
Guerin made it very clear that the Minnesota Wild are trying to add talent this offseason. It will be difficult to do that, if you go from two of the best netminders in hockey, down to zero.
Nonetheless, if the right package comes along for Wallstedt, I won’t doubt Guerin’s willingness or ability to get a deal done. Still, there’s no doubt Filip Gustavsson’s injury, and the resulting surgery, will definitely throw a wrench into the team’s offseason plans.
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