Wild open to moving Wallstedt — The Fourth Period
The Minnesota Wild continue to look around the NHL for some extra fire power up front and it seems they could be convinced to move one of their best young players for the right deal.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt is in play and Wild GM Bill Guerin appears willing to move him for a significant addition, preferable a centre.
“The Wild would be open to dealing Wallstedt, their top prospect, if the right deal comes along,” Russo wrote in his latest article.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman echoed what Russo reported during Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast episode, stating that the Wild may have already explored the possibility of dealing Wallstedt earlier this season.
“I think that Minnesota might have tried that once already, but you know, we’ve all been wondering, we all know the Wild are going to try to get another player, probably a centre, we’re all sitting there saying, ‘What is he going to use?’ I think that might be the guy.”
Wallstedt has posted a 12-5-4 record in 21 games with the Wild so far this season, along with a 2.66 goals-against-average, a .914 save percentage and four shutouts. The 23-year-old, who was drafted 20th overall by the Wild in the 2021 NHL Draft, is in the first year of a two-year, $4.4 million contract.
View TFP’s Trade Watch List
The Wild have been linked to such players as Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, Brayden Schenn and Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, and Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils, but it is unclear whom they may try to zero-in on.
Meanwhile, the Wild have also been reportedly interested in Rangers sniper Artemi Panarin, but Friedman suggested the fit might not be there with Minnesota and Panarin is more likely to be moved elsewhere when the Rangers deal him at some point before the March 6 trade deadline.
