Article: Does the Wild's Commitment To Gustavsson Leave Wallstedt's Future In Question?

[Robert Brent]

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[Imyourhuckleberry]

Last time the Wild advanced far in the playoffs, they had Roloson and Fernandez, who both posted at least 3 wins and 7 starts in the playoffs, after both exceeded a .920 save percentage in the regular season.

Definitely best to have more than 1 goalie you can count on to win big games.

[Citizen Strife]

Let's see how Wallstedt does.  You can crown players as "heir apparents' all you want, but they have to show it.  All of the rookie class has to.

Brodin/Spurgeon have been the class of the Minnesota defense for a decade.  Middleton and Faber are no slouches.  They make goalies look good, but you still need to steal games.  Gus proved he could last year.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Citizen Strife

[Willy the poor boy]

22 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Let's see how Wallstedt does.  You can crown players as "heir apparents' all you want, but they have to show it.  All of the rookie class has to.

 

 

You wanna crown day azz, den crown day azz...

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Gus talking about signing -- The Athletic

Quote

“We have a chance to win here,” Gustavsson said. “My family likes it here ever since we moved here. Everyone is taking care of us. Teammates, the core group, is very good. We really like it here, and the style of game the team is playing is fitting my style very well. I could have gone to a different team, and maybe their defensive situation doesn’t work with the way I play the game. 

“Why change something if it works?”

He and Wallstedt have a great relationship, so I think things could go really well with these two together, assuming Wallstedt can step up his game against the very best the NHL has to offer. He's had mixed results so far.

[MNCountryLife]

I have concerns with Gus.  I look at the last 2 playoff series he had and he comes out of the gate in stellar fashion.  But both times he finished the last game sub .900.

2025
May    1st 2025 vs VGK .875
April 29th 2025 vs VGK .920
April 26th 2025 vs VGK .913
April 24th 2025 vs VGK .938
April 22nd 2025 vs VGK .938

2023
April 28th 2023 vs Dallas .885
April 25th 2023 vs Dallas .875
April 23rd 2023 vs Dallas .875
April 21st 2023 vs Dallas .958
April 17th 2023 vs Dallas .962

Does Gus struggle when playing every other night? I think he does. I think he is a goalie that is at his best with 3 or 4 days between games.  3 days between his April 26th and 29th game and his stat went up a bit.  

I really like option #3 from Brent's article of having two goalies splitting time.  I think that would be the best scenario for Gus, Wally and the Wild.  It will require BG to put the screws a bit on Wally with his RFA contract.  But BG has done well with those.

Yes, I understand that the players in front of him could be the difference as well.  But I think it is a valid concern.  If I'm Hynes I pay attention to those stats carefully. 

[Beast]

You can’t get by with just one serviceable goalie anymore.  Even if Wallstadt had been performing up to expectations the last couple of years, they may have paid Gus anyway.

On top of the need for two goalies, many don’t really come into their “prime” unti age 25-26.  He has a lot of development left.

He’s not going anywhere.  The trade value is likely depressed and they don’t have another viable goalie prospect knocking on the door.  Wouldn’t make sense to even consider dumping him at this point.

 

[Pablo]

Who knows how this plays out but we are in great shape at goalie regardless. A 1A. 1B scenario would be nice for sure but so would getting more daft capital. 

[Pablo]

Who knows how this plays out but we are in great shape at goalie regardless. A 1A. 1B scenario would be nice for sure but so would getting more daft capital. 

[Scalptrash]

No. Gustavsson had to be resigned. Were they going to let him walk, or be distracted all season? He's the better goaltender right now, so why wouldn't they commit to him?

Like every player trying to make the team, go ahead and take their spot. It's up to Wally.

[mnfaninnc]

I don't see any reason why they cannot be a good battery for 5 years. The Wall isn't going to take away starts from Goose for at least 2 more seasons. If he does take some away, Goose is just more rested. The Wall isn't getting paid top dollar in his next deal. They can co-exist. In fact, they should thrive together.