How Are the Wild Going To Handle the Crease?

Wallstedt likely begins the year in Iowa. If injury does not elevate him, the team will likely still get him some NHL games periodically. Late in the season, if one of the other goalies is struggling, he will likely see extensive action, but he should be the #1 goalie in Iowa where he can play a lot more games early on.

The thing you hope for is Gus plays well enough for 40-45 games, Fleury holds up for 30-35 games, and then Wallstedt can get up to 10 games, or even 15 if necessary.

You can hold out the ticket of Gus being traded.  I'd rather Gus stay around though.  You can't keep Fleury holding on with duct tape and a smile.  Paying for a backup is gonna at or around what Gus is paid anyway.  If he plays like last year, that's his problem.

It would be great is Guerin could swing Gus for Askarov. Then rotate him and Wall behind Flower for the year. Go forward with 2 of the best goalie prospects in the league.

If Nashville gives up Askarov for Gus they are pretty dumb.  They might need more in that case.  Main issues would Wallstedt/Askarov be a Swayman/Ullmark thing?  Would Askarov want that or is he dead set on being the guy?

Askarov for SJS 2025 first.  SJS better have some protection on that pick.

At least we don't have to deep-dive into a go after Askarov debate. 😁

Good for Askarov. Better for the Wild, because he's out of the Central.

Hope he's ready to see a lot of rubber. 

Probably more than a dead skunk on HWY 94. 😁

11 hours ago, Kato AK said:

It would be great is Guerin could swing Gus for Askarov.

It would be great, except this is not what Nashville needs. Their goaltending is where they want it with a Saros-Wedgewood tandem. Nashville is looking for prospects and picks for Askarov, and we are likely paying a premium being in the same division. 

I think Askarov could cost us a 2nd + Heidt. Trotz wants something dynamic, and Heidt's about as dynamic as they get. Askarov is the 2nd best goalie prospect in the world. Putting Askarov and The Wall on the roster with Fleury could be a really good thing. But, what I like is being able to send out a right handed and left handed goalie. We would have very low cost certainty for awhile with both The Wall and Askarov. And, they likely both play at an elite level. Goalies can steal playoff series. Having both these guys would be huge for that.

Heidt is a great prospect too, and a dynamic one. But, I'd make the deal. 

So, now he's gone? That's very disappointing.

Did Guerin make an offer? We will never know. 

A couple of particulars in the deal is it is Vegas' 1st + Edstrom (the Tomas Hertl booty). It is top 10 semi protected (if Vegas has a top 10 pick, SJ can sub their pick, but who thinks they'll finish ahead of Vegas?) 

SJ also gets a 2025 3rd rounder and a minor leaguer who is playing in the E.

Would Heidt + 2nd have gotten it done? Heidt might have been a more dynamic center than Edstrom. The 2nd is about the same as getting the 1st but giving up the 3rd. I would also project that 1st to be quite late in the round. 

The biggest difference is that MN has formulated their buildup since 4-5 years ago and there's not any one thing that stands out as a glaring need. MN is solid at the NHL level with depth and prospects at each position. 

A team like NSH is not bad but turnover, vets, and prospects as part of their effort to be a playoff team puts them in a different position with Trotz having taken over from Poile. Askarov netted NSH a nice return they need. 

GMBG needs to be poised for important moves ahead of the playoffs and next Summer. Goalie or prospects aren't the Wild's big needs right now. It's NoJo removal. 😃

10 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I think Askarov could cost us a 2nd + Heidt. Trotz wants something dynamic, and Heidt's about as dynamic as they get. Askarov is the 2nd best goalie prospect in the world.

Looks like it cost more than that. Edstrom was a late 1st and the Sharks also gave up what will presumably be another late 1st in the Vegas 2025 pick.

I had not realized David Edstrom moved to San Jose in the Hertl deal. Edstrom(selected 11 picks after Stramel) might be a couple years away from NHL ice, but he's a nice addition to Nashville's prospect pool. Vegas picked 19th this last draft, so it's also possible that the 2025 pick will end up around the middle of the 1st round.