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The Minnesota Wild’s Goalie Conundrum and How to Fix it

By Lake Martin

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 20: Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild replaces teammate Devan Dubnyk #40 in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on April 20, 2018 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead /Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 20: Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild replaces teammate Devan Dubnyk #40 in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on April 20, 2018 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead /Getty Images) /
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I think it’s time to let the future of the Wild get solid NHL experience and get him a tender to develop behind.

Minnesota Wild, Kaapo Kahkonen #31 (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Minnesota Wild, Kaapo Kahkonen #31 (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Wild are in a very good position, they’re flexible and allowed options. I believe it’s time for Dubnyk to depart from the Wild, which is painful to say. He’s been a horse for Minnesota, really turned into a top goaltender with the organization, but it just isn’t a fit anymore.

If they can and are willing, the Minnesota Wild should carry three goaltenders next season. Team’s don’t like using one of their extra roster spots for goalies, which is fairly understandable, but if the Wild can go out and sign either Lehner or Holtby OR trade for Matt Murray, it’s worth it. It brings in a good goalie to work in tandem with Kahkonen after Stalock’s contract expires in 2021-2022.

It seems like a long time to carry three tenders, but it could allow for solid playing time for all included without a strenuous workload. I really believe the NHL may adopt the NBA’s load management strategy and it makes a ton of sense for the goalie position.

Even if Kahkonen proves to be not ready, they could still roll out with either one of their signed/traded goalies and Stalock as a 1A/1B tandem.

If you really twisted my arm to pick a new goalie to acquire, I’d say Lehner. At just under 29, he’s been a very capable goalie, still has plenty of his career ahead of him, and allows for the prospects to properly develop into NHL form.

All stats were provided by hockey-reference.com and hockeydb.com, and Salary Figures and Draft Pick info on capfreindly.com

What are your thoughts on how the Wild should handle the Netminder? Still, believe in Dubnyk? Stalock’s performance this year isn’t just a flash in the pan? Want the Wild to get a different Goalie? Leave a comment or tweet at us on Twitter @FSGonePuckWild

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