As we start the work week, we bring you another round of NHL rumors. The Stanley Cup may be awarded this week, but there is plenty to discuss with other clubs in the league. We expect an eventful end to June and start of July. Executives may need to make some trades to free up salary cap space and acquire assets. The Minnesota Wild will have some tough decisions to make due to salary cap space. In this edition, we look at the Wild and a possible trade for one of their goalies.
All NHL rumors come from original sources and are subject to change.
NHL Rumors
Minnesota Wild may trade goaltender to reduce cap
RUMOR: Frank Seravalli of the Daily FaceOff has released his list of offseason trade candidates. Look to Wild goaltender Filip Gustafsson, who comes in ninth on Seravalli's list.
analysis: The Wild are open for business, according to Seravalli. General manager Bill Guerin has to deal with roughly $15.1 million in total salary-cap space, and buyouts for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will be painful for another year before the Wild can get over the hump.
Guerin will have to sign a tough contract, some of which could be a big loss. Minnesota will have to find a way to shed payroll and be careful with their finances, which means some players may not sign or may be traded. Gustafsson is a player that would be on the radar of any team in need of a goaltender.
Balance the books
The Swedish goaltender played a crucial role in the Wild's 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff run, but his performance last season took a bit of a step back. Minnesota likes Gustafsson as a goaltender, but it could be a matter of saving a few dollars. He could still compete for the No. 1 spot on some team's roster.
Seravalli said the 25-year-old is a good fit for a mid-major. With a salary of $3.75 million per year, he would be an affordable option for a team in need of a goalkeeper. If you're looking for a player who can get a decent amount of games at a low cost, there's no better option for a team. Gustafsson could bounce back in 2023 and become a player the team can rely on.
It gets crowded with 3 people
Another reason Gustavsson could be shut out is the duo of Marc-Andre Fleury and Jesper Walstedt. Fleury is nearing the end of his career and is a goalie who can be counted on to perform well every year. He's on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, which is a nice deal.
Wohlstedt is a player itching for more minutes, and Fleury appears to be taking on a mentoring role. Wohlstedt, a 2021 first-round draft pick, is on a low-cost contract worth $925,000, which is good news for Guerin. Wohlstedt will prove himself as a goaltender and get a chance to play at the NHL level.
There just aren't enough games to justify using three goalies. The Montreal Canadiens used three goalies in their rotation until they traded Jake Allen at the deadline. Minnesota probably doesn't want to deal with the situation the Habs found themselves in last season. It also wouldn't maximize the Wild's limited cap space with three goalies.
Gustafsson's salary may only be a small amount, but with the Wild in their current situation, they will need to save some cap space.
Main photo: Jeffrey Becker – USA TODAY Sports
