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  • There's A Lot Riding On Jesper Wallstedt's Bounceback Season


    Image courtesy of Nick Wosika - Imagn Images
    Tony Abbott

    One tough season isn't going to derail the Minnesota Wild's plans to have Jesper Wallstedt become "The Great Wall of St. Paul." But jeez, what a tough season last year was. After holding his own as a goalie in the AHL, posting a .908 and .910 save percentage during his first two North American pro seasons, things fell apart.

    Wallstedt had an abysmal .879 save percentage, surrendering five or more goals in seven of his 27 appearances. It was a season that dramatically dropped his stock. He went from being The Athletic's Scott Wheeler's No. 1-ranked goalie last July to No. 12 this year.

    The Wild are banking on the bounceback next year, partly because they have to. Marc-André Fleury's retirement means that at least 22 starts are now up for grabs. And honestly, there's room to take up even more playing time in St. Paul. Filip Gustavsson took on the sixth-biggest workload in hockey, starting 58 times. That's not crazy for an undisputed No. 1 goalie, but the Wild would surely like the luxury of pushing that number closer to 50.

    Minnesota doesn't just need 22 to 26 reliable starts, though. They need to know that there's a safe Plan B in case something goes wrong. They had that last year. Fleury showed his age (.899 save%), but he was a credible NHL option who could start for stretches in case of injury. There's no Fleury to act as that buffer this season. Cal Petersen is the Wild's third starter/AHL goalie, and he hasn't had 10 or more NHL starts since the 2021-22 season.

    If Gustavsson gets hurt, or reverts back to his 2023-24 form, The Great Wall of St. Paul is all that stands between making the playoffs or missing big.

    Wallstedt is ready for the challenge.

    "Now, after three seasons in the AHL, the goal is clearly to crack the NHL," he told Uffe Bodin (in Swedish, translated to English) at Daily Faceoff earlier this week. "I believe I’m capable of that when I’m at my best – but I still have to work on some things around my game. That’s definitely where I want to be."

    But ready or not, it's go-time for the 22-year-old. And it's not just because the Wild are seeking to take the next step in contention now that their buyout-induced cap hell is over. Whether Wallstedt plays 25, 55, or even zero games, this year is going to go a long way to determine Minnesota's future in net.

    Perhaps thanks to the increase in cap space league-wide, the goalie market is climbing up. Solid-but-unspectacular goalies like Mackenzie Blackwood, Logan Thompson, and Adin Hill are getting inked to five/six-year deals in the $5.25 to $6.25 million cap hit range. The top end of the market -- think Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, and Linus Ullmark -- is sitting at around $8-8.5 million.

    This matters a ton because Gustavsson will become a UFA next season. He's had ups and downs in St. Paul, but during his time in Minnesota, he has an overall save percentage of .914. You can give the Wild's defense a ton of the credit, but the fact remains that only Connor Hellebuyck, Ullmark, and Anthony Stolarz have a higher save percentage while facing 3,000-plus shot attempts over that time.

    Minnesota probably has to start with the assumption that Gustavsson's next contract will begin with a "6." It might even get to an "8" with another strong season, and maybe a "9" with an elite one.

    How much do the Wild want to foot that bill? Fair or not, that's going to depend entirely on how much confidence Wallstedt builds this year.

    If Wallstedt can thrive in 30 games and show that he's capable of handling a bigger workload next year, the Wild have options. They might be able to offer Gustavsson a lucrative two-year deal to stay in a good situation, then allow him to cash in later. Minnesota could also just declare Wallstedt their starter, then set about finding a reliable, but cost-effective backup.

    But if Wallstedt can't inspire that confidence, the Wild don't have the luxury of walking away from a Gustavsson contract that's not to their liking. They're either going to have to pay market-rate for Gustavsson, find another starting-caliber goalie, or roll the dice with a young goalie who struggled two seasons in a row. 

    Neither of the latter two options would be particularly good. Teams like the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche have tried to go cheaper and cheaper in net, only to bottom out before course-correcting with Blackwood and Jacob Markstrom, respectively. It's already not easy to find solid goaltending, and it's only going to get more difficult.

    Unless Wallstedt wrests the starting job from Gustavsson entirely next season, there's not going to be a scenario where next year's goalie decision will feel easy. Still, Wallstedt has the power to make the Wild feel reasonably comfortable with however it goes, or make the entire State of Hockey incredibly nervous as Summer 2026 approaches. 

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    Gus earned the benefit of the doubt after a terrific rebound last season.  Wallstedt has to prove he can play in front of a capable defensive corps, or be damned.  Goalies are volatile yes, but Gus is playing for $6-8m.  He's gonna get it unless both he and Wallstedt shit the bed.  Of the two, I'm riding the Gus Bus until Wall proves otherwise.

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    Does anyone feel really good about Wallstedt? I certainly don't. He either isn't that good or kind of a head case. If he is going to make it in the NHL, he should be dominating in the AHL. I'm not that impressed by a .908 and .910 save percentage in the AHL, even when he was playing well. He's been touted for years that he was essentially the second coming and I'm just not seeing it. Look out for Jiricek too.

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    Good article.  Brodin, Spurge, Faber and Mids do a very good job at keeping the shots to the outside.  But with no Brodin out and possible newcomers Jiricek, Lambos and Buium we may not be as nice to goalies as we have been the last few years.  This could affect both Wall and Gus.  

    Edited by MNCountryLife
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    I think Wallstedt himself has admitted that he has struggled with confidence/the mental side of the game the last couple seasons, but he have to remember the goalies tend to take longer to develop and he is only 22. 

    I would like to see Sam Hlavaj get a game or 2 with the big club. He has been playing as good or better than Jesper in the AHL and his play in international games for Slovakia is pretty damn impressive. The org may not need to put as much pressure on Jesper when there are other options.

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    2 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

    Look out for Jiricek too.

    I Jiri looks like Midsy light next year it'll be a monumental clang off the upright for Guerin (and Brackett), considering the Fletcherian draft haul he gave up.  Mainly Guerin b/c he's the one who had a stiffy for Jiri. And at his age it's time for Jiri to start showing REAL potential.  Nevermind the bigger guys need more time blather...not when you forfeit a couple drafts to get the guy. Remember when we made fun of Fenton for his idiotic moves??  Pepperidge Farm remembers.

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    20 minutes ago, Kato AK said:

    admitted that he has struggled with confidence/the mental side of the game the last couple seasons

    The optimist in me is assuming Wall-E learned and grew a ton in the mental discipline department and the Wild will be the beneficiary....not the 3rd team he's playing for when he's 28 and it finally clicks for him.

    #Dubnyk

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    14 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    I Jiri looks like Midsy light next year it'll be a monumental clang off the upright for Guerin (and Brackett), considering the Fletcherian draft haul he gave up.  Mainly Guerin b/c he's the one who had a stiffy for Jiri. And at his age it's time for Jiri to start showing REAL potential.  Nevermind the bigger guys need more time blather...not when you forfeit a couple drafts to get the guy. Remember when we made fun of Fenton for his idiotic moves??  Pepperidge Farm remembers.

    Get ready to hear the clank because Jiricek is looking like his ceiling is 5th/6th defender on 3rd pairing. I don’t believe he’s going to be capable or successful as a top 4 defender 

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    2 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

    Get ready to hear the clank because Jiricek is looking like his ceiling is 5th/6th defender on 3rd pairing. I don’t believe he’s going to be capable or successful as a top 4 defender 

    What have you seen that makes you think this?  He is still only 21 years old, and we only saw him in 6 games last year.  I look at a guy like Harley from Dallas.  He played in the A at 19, split time at 20, played 66 games in the A at 21 before finally breaking out in 2023/24 at the age of 22.  Pretty much same thing Jiricek has done in his career so far.  I am not expecting the same type of breakout year that Harley had for Jiricek this year (15G, 32A and a +28), but not ready to say his ceiling is 5th/6th defender yet.

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    1 hour ago, TCMooch said:

    Get ready to hear the clank because Jiricek is looking like his ceiling is 5th/6th defender on 3rd pairing. I don’t believe he’s going to be capable or successful as a top 4 defender 

    We got Midsy for an old mouth guard, so Jiri needs to be a stud, SOON.

    Good news is that Wild fans no longer have to hear about the prospect pool cavalry that's on it's way sometime in the future.  Future is now party people.  Ogz, Zeev, Yurov, Jiri and Wall-E all need to perform as every night NHL'rs when this season begins.  Ogz, Wall-E and Jiri got nice long on-ramps.  Yurzy and Zeevy need to be ready on night one.  Gonna be fun to watch!!

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    1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

    but not ready to say his ceiling is 5th/6th defender yet.

    I assume this is based on Benjamin Buttons shit talking Jiri.  While he may be dead wrong it would have been much easier for Buttons to gloss Jiri, so it's a little concerning he brought all the smoke and trashed him as a bottom 4 D-man ceiling. 

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    8 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    I assume this is based on Benjamin Buttons shit talking Jiri.  While he may be dead wrong it would have been much easier for Buttons to gloss Jiri, so it's a little concerning he brought all the smoke and trashed him as a bottom 4 D-man ceiling. 

    No, it was in response to TCMooch stating his ceiling is a 5th or 6th defenseman.  

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    The blame for Wally's bad year falls solely on BG's shoulders.  Flouting a 3-goalie rotation and telling him to get an apartment were egregious errors.  It totally messed with his head and made everything a disaster.  Goalies are already headcases, so this was just a stupid move especially when we had almost no cap space to start the season.  This year, BG is leaving money available in case he has to go trade for a goalie if Wally struggles.

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    My reasoning is I don’t think he is good enough defensively to be trusted. I also think The only reason people think hell me something is because he was drafted high and are hoping against hope he’s films play like a top 10 drafted player instead of basically the bust I think he will be.

     Hoping I’m wrong!

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    38 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

    My reasoning is I don’t think he is good enough defensively to be trusted. I also think The only reason people think hell me something is because he was drafted high and are hoping against hope he’s films play like a top 10 drafted player instead of basically the bust I think he will be.

     Hoping I’m wrong!

    He may not end of being good enough defensively, but I will give him some time to see.  Still plenty young for a dman and did not look all that out of place last year when he was up, albeit a very limited amount of time.

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    5 hours ago, TCMooch said:

    Get ready to hear the clank because Jiricek is looking like his ceiling is 5th/6th defender on 3rd pairing. I don’t believe he’s going to be capable or successful as a top 4 defender 

    Well on this team right now he will be on the 3rd pairing to start with.  Spurgeon, Brodin, Faber, Middleton that would make up your top two pairings.  Buium and Jiricek on the 3rd pair.  Maybe spread the new kids out but reality is he is a 3rd pairing right now.  As far as his offensive skill he is top pair on this team.  Spurgeon is not a scorer.  Brodin is average with Faber.  Middleton we don't know and probably never will.  Buium has shown he can score.  So the two kids are going to be the offensive defenseman on this team. 

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    Wallstedt is going to be fine.  As long as he gets time on a set schedule.  Every third or fourth game.  This tendency to ride a hot goalie until the wheels fall off will not be a good thing for a rookie.  Having a young goalie come in to save the day when the number one is broken is a recipe for disaster.  I know others have taken the starting position and run with it but those are rare compared to the number of goalies that have been tossed into the shark infested waters and lost there game. 

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    49 minutes ago, 1Brotherbill said:

    Wallstedt is going to be fine

    I think so too. I base my opinion on his family. He grew up surrounded by professional goalies. I’ve read things he’s said, he’s aware of where he’s at and what areas need to improve. I’m really excited about the season coming up, not just to see JW, but all the new players. 

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    I'm not concerned about Wally. He was consistently ranked as a top goalie prospect throughout the league. Scouts must have seen something with his ability to continually rank him that high. He'll have a much better defense in front of him this year and he'll be able to gain confidence. 

    Besides, you can't have a bounce back season unless you have something to bounce back from. 

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    13 hours ago, TCMooch said:

    My reasoning is I don’t think he is good enough defensively to be trusted. I also think The only reason people think hell me something is because he was drafted high and are hoping against hope he’s films play like a top 10 drafted player instead of basically the bust I think he will be.

     Hoping I’m wrong!

    Klingberg 2.0

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    20 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

    Does anyone feel really good about Wallstedt? I certainly don't. He either isn't that good or kind of a head case. If he is going to make it in the NHL, he should be dominating in the AHL. I'm not that impressed by a .908 and .910 save percentage in the AHL, even when he was playing well. He's been touted for years that he was essentially the second coming and I'm just not seeing it. 

    Idk about the second coming. More like a franchise goalie the team hasn't had since ol' Niklas Backstrom. 

    It does seem like he's a headcase though if his disappointment was a big part of the reason he sucked so much last  year. 

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    15 hours ago, Outskated said:

    The blame for Wally's bad year falls solely on BG's shoulders.  Flouting a 3-goalie rotation and telling him to get an apartment were egregious errors.  It totally messed with his head and made everything a disaster.  Goalies are already headcases, so this was just a stupid move especially when we had almost no cap space to start the season.  This year, BG is leaving money available in case he has to go trade for a goalie if Wally struggles.

    Gus is to blame. If he hadn't come out scorching hot, they would've found a way to rotate in Wallstedt. 

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