Wild Sign Jesper Wallstedt To Contract Extension

That's Wild

• The Minnesota Wild have prevented any future, nasty offer sheets next summer and signed top goaltender prospect Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4-million contract that will carry a $2.2-million AAV. The contract will start in the 2025-26 season and he will remain a restricted free agent in 2027. It's a show of confidence that hopefully he can become the Wild's starting netminder by the time that contract is done. [NHL.com]
• Can the Wild stick in the winning mindset with so many distractions like Fleury's retirement and Kaprizov's pending free agency in two years? [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Wild are going to start with three goalies on their roster. So, now what? [Pioneer Press]

Off the trail...

• ESPN is predicting the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup this year. (Gross.) As well as predicting other things that will happen this season. [ESPN]
• More predictions. But now, we're getting oddly specific and very detailed predictions for what will happen. [The Athletic]
• The 25 people who will define the NHL's 2024-25 season.[Sportsnet]