Article: Jesper Wallstedt Feels Ready for Wild Backup Role

[Willy the poor boy]

Who scores more goals this year? Gus or Yurov?

[Pewterschmidt]

7 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Who scores more goals this year? Gus or Yurov?

What did everyone think of ogz and Yurov yesterday.  I thought neither one showed much, but Playoff Trenin is showing he’s not top 6 ready.  Needs to become a bottom 6 banger to stay in St. Paul.   His hands and instincts remind me of Sheppard, and Playoff Trenin. 

[M_Nels]

45 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Russo says Gus just re-signed for 5/34/6.8AAV.  15-team NTC in the last few years.

Nice.  Was expected $7-7.5m.

Where’s all the Billy bashers on this one?? Very fair deal. 
 

Hell even p-train was on board with this one!

[Citizen Strife]

It's not so much if Pewter is on board.  If Dean goes positive, then he'll froze over.

[M_Nels]

3 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

It's not so much if Pewter is on board.  If Dean goes positive, then he'll froze over.

I call your Dean and raise you a scalptrash or a mnhockeyfan03

[M_Nels]

11 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

What did everyone think of ogz and Yurov yesterday.  I thought neither one showed much, but Playoff Trenin is showing he’s not top 6 ready.  Needs to become a bottom 6 banger to stay in St. Paul.   His hands and instincts remind me of Sheppard, and Playoff Trenin. 

Both pretty meh. Don’t think either one of them is top 6 material yet but out of the 2 Yurov has looked better. 
 

Speaking of Trenin that Moose-Sturm-Trenin line they put together looked damn good.

[Pewterschmidt]

21 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Both pretty meh. Don’t think either one of them is top 6 material yet but out of the 2 Yurov has looked better. 
 

Speaking of Trenin that Moose-Sturm-Trenin line they put together looked damn good.

The Wrecking Crew

[Citizen Strife]

I think Yurov has more staying power due to slightly better defensive awareness.  But as scoring wingers, not so much.

Speaking of staying power, Buium when given open ice is insane.  He's already a potential game changer.  I'd like to say the same about Jiricek, but he is trying way too hard to play in the offensive zone.  He confused offensive zone time as "I got a be a 4th winger.". Buium has the ability to get back inside if it goes wrong.  Jiricek does not.  He should stick to slappers from the point.

Edited Saturday at 03:24 PM by Citizen Strife

[Pewterschmidt]

36 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

I think Yurov has more staying power due to slightly better defensive awareness.  But as scoring wingers, not so much.

Speaking of staying power, Buium when given open ice is insane.  He's already a potential game changer.  I'd like to say the same about Jiricek, but he is trying way too hard to play in the offensive zone.  He confused offensive zone time as "I got a be a 4th winger.". Buium has the ability to get back inside if it goes wrong.  Jiricek does not.  He should stick to slappers from the point.

I like jiri’s potential but yes right now he’s more liability than asset

[Enforceror]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

I think Yurov has more staying power due to slightly better defensive awareness.  But as scoring wingers, not so much.

Speaking of staying power, Buium when given open ice is insane.  He's already a potential game changer.  I'd like to say the same about Jiricek, but he is trying way too hard to play in the offensive zone.  He confused offensive zone time as "I got a be a 4th winger.". Buium has the ability to get back inside if it goes wrong.  Jiricek does not.  He should stick to slappers from the point.

I noticed the same. Can't say I've been too impressed with Buium up until last night. He really showed up and made some incredible plays. If he starts getting confidence and familiarity with our system (which I think he is), lookout. 

I'm expecting quite a few points from him this year feeding our PP1. Jury is still out on his defense but if he can keep it on the + side for goals for/against, I'll take it. He's going to make mistakes but I think his ability to learn quickly is higher than most and we'll be seeing steady improvement throughout the year.

[Enforceror]

3 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

What did everyone think of ogz and Yurov yesterday.  I thought neither one showed much, but Playoff Trenin is showing he’s not top 6 ready.  Needs to become a bottom 6 banger to stay in St. Paul.   His hands and instincts remind me of Sheppard, and Playoff Trenin. 

I didn't see much from Ohgren. Yurov is looking like he's a defense first guy which might be a pretty good way to start. Possibly after the EK mold...offense may come in a few years. I'm not upset if he can play responsibly and to be fair, he had a lot of hype to live up to. We haven't even started regular season yet and I'm sure he's still settling in. 

[FredJohnson]

Jesper Wallstedt Feels Ready for Wild Backup Role

 

Ready to back up the Gus Bus for 5 years?

 

[mnfaninnc]

On 10/3/2025 at 5:23 PM, SkolWild73 said:

A 5m AAV would put Gus as the 22nd highest paid goalie next year.  As a RFA I would say there is almost zero chance he would sign that deal, unless he stinks this year.  A another year like last year and I would say he will be looking for 8M plus

I understand what he may be looking for, or at least what his agent may be looking for. If I'm Guerin, MacKenzie Blackwood's contract is what I'm throwing out there and just leave it on the table. 

To me, his numbers would suggest that he is a $7-8m goalie. The eye test suggests differently to me. When he had his down year, it was more than having a 3rd pairing of AHL defenders, it was having part of a 3rd line and 4th line of A forwards too, forwards that weren't as good at the 200' game. And, Goose's numbers suffered. 

For the team to make the playoffs, he had to stand on his head that year and he didn't rise to the occasion. My conclusions are 1) that he might be an every other year goalie and 2) his numbers do not reflect his ability. 

This season will help determine if the every other year moniker stands. But is he average, or is he really good? I simply think he's an average goalie playing behind a team that makes him look really good. At least, that is what the eye test shows me. By average goalie, I do mean an average starting goalie. That really puts him in a net share 1a status. 

Like any average goalie, he also goes through some hot streaks. But with that also comes cold streaks. To me, the hot streaks tend to be longer than the cold streaks. 

And, I really do think that a comparison to Blackwood is a pretty good comparison. The real question is, does Goose want to remain with the Wild, or does Goose want to venture out and get paid more to get lit up? He already knows what that feels like in Ottawa. Before his stellar 1st year here, he thought he was heading back to the SHL after his contract ran out. I am pretty certain the N pays a lot more than the S. 

[SkolWild73]

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I understand what he may be looking for, or at least what his agent may be looking for. If I'm Guerin, MacKenzie Blackwood's contract is what I'm throwing out there and just leave it on the table. 

To me, his numbers would suggest that he is a $7-8m goalie. The eye test suggests differently to me. When he had his down year, it was more than having a 3rd pairing of AHL defenders, it was having part of a 3rd line and 4th line of A forwards too, forwards that weren't as good at the 200' game. And, Goose's numbers suffered. 

For the team to make the playoffs, he had to stand on his head that year and he didn't rise to the occasion. My conclusions are 1) that he might be an every other year goalie and 2) his numbers do not reflect his ability. 

This season will help determine if the every other year moniker stands. But is he average, or is he really good? I simply think he's an average goalie playing behind a team that makes him look really good. At least, that is what the eye test shows me. By average goalie, I do mean an average starting goalie. That really puts him in a net share 1a status. 

Like any average goalie, he also goes through some hot streaks. But with that also comes cold streaks. To me, the hot streaks tend to be longer than the cold streaks. 

And, I really do think that a comparison to Blackwood is a pretty good comparison. The real question is, does Goose want to remain with the Wild, or does Goose want to venture out and get paid more to get lit up? He already knows what that feels like in Ottawa. Before his stellar 1st year here, he thought he was heading back to the SHL after his contract ran out. I am pretty certain the N pays a lot more than the S. 

All kind of a moot point since he signed for 6.8M

[1Brotherbill]

The team needs two goalies.  The team has two goalies.  Goalies are a strange thing. 

Nobody would have thought Goalie Bob would be winning cups in his 30's when he came into the league.  They figured he was good but like all good goalies that time is short.  Everyone thought King Henrik would win multiple Cups when he came into the league and he didn't win any.  Even Fluery was replaced was backup to Matt Murry for two Stanley Cups.  

What does that mean for Wallstedt.  It means you play well when you get the chance to play well.  

[NoJoSux]

On 10/4/2025 at 11:59 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

I like jiri’s potential but yes right now he’s more liability than asset

Was Columbus onto something? 

[mnfaninnc]

19 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

All kind of a moot point since he signed for 6.8M

I still think it was a little high, but I'll also admit I struggle with capflation, especially in the middling group.

[Mateo3xm]

On 10/4/2025 at 10:22 AM, Citizen Strife said:

I think Yurov has more staying power due to slightly better defensive awareness.  But as scoring wingers, not so much.

Speaking of staying power, Buium when given open ice is insane.  He's already a potential game changer.  I'd like to say the same about Jiricek, but he is trying way too hard to play in the offensive zone.  He confused offensive zone time as "I got a be a 4th winger.". Buium has the ability to get back inside if it goes wrong.  Jiricek does not.  He should stick to slappers from the point.

I think k Buium could potentially have a big impact on the PP this year.

[Enforceror]

1 hour ago, Mateo3xm said:

I think k Buium could potentially have a big impact on the PP this year.

I was skeptical until the game against Chicago. Saw some flash for sure. There's a reason he's on the roster.