UMass goalie Filip Lindberg might choose NHL free agency over Minnesota Wild
By Tim Johnson
Finnish goalie Filip Lindberg, who helped Massachusetts to the NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey title this season, is leaving the college ranks for the pros. But it’s looking like it might not be with the Minnesota Wild, the team that selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Michael Russo of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Lindberg has not reached an agreement with the Wild yet and could instead be a NHL free agent this summer and sign with any team that he can reach a deal with. His rights with the Wild end at the end of the month.
#mnwild have been unable to come to a contract agreement with goalie prospect Filip Lindberg.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 2, 2021
The NCAA champ was drafted as a 20-year-old, so his agent has submitted a 30-day letter so his Wild rights expire at the end of June. He’s free to sign w/another NHL club July 28.
Lindberg’s decision to forgo his senior season with the Minutemen was announced by the school on Wednesday. As a junior, Lindberg recorded five shutouts with one coming in both the Hockey East title game and the East Regional Final. He also shutout St. Cloud State in the national championship game.
Lindberg had 25 saves against the Huskies after he missed the semifnal win over Minnesota-Duluth due to being on the COVID-19 tracking protocol.
Lindberg had a 1.24 goals against average and .949 saves percentage for the season as he posted a 10-1-4 mark. He is the program’s all-time leader in save percentage (.935) and goals against average (1.62) .
“Fille was simply outstanding in the net this past season and proved that he is ready to move on to the next level of hockey,” UMass coach Greg Carvel. said in the media release on Lindberg’s decision. “His development as a goaltender during his time at UMass has been impressive and I give a ton of credit to associate head coach Jared DeMichiel who works closely with our goalies. ”
The Wild selected Lindberg with pick No. 197 —which was the team’s final selection in the ’19 Entry Draft — after he completed a freshman season in which he played 17 games for the Minutemen and finished second in the nation with a 1.60 GAA.
Lindberg, who helped Finland to the gold medal in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship tournament, was taken in the same draft in which the Wild also selected Hunter Jones in the second round. Jones
Jones, a 20-year-old from Brantford, Ontario, signed a three-year entry deal with Minnesota in March 2020. He posted a 3.50 GAA and stoped 88.6% of the shots he faced in 19 games with the Iowa Wild this season.
Speaking of prospects …
The NHL Draft won’t be held until July 23 but at least the selection order is becoming clearer, somewhat.
The Buffalo Sabres won the draft lottery on Wednesday night, and with it, the rights for the No. 1 pick. It came as little surprise as the Sabres entered the event with a a 16.6% chance of landing in the top spot. League newcomers, the Seattle Kraken, will select second
The top two spots were determined by the lottery and the No. 3 through 15 picks were ordered based on points earned in the regular season. Anaheim will pick third.
The positions for picks 16 through 31 will be determined by how the postseason plays out. The Wild own two selections in the first round, one coming from Pittsburg due to the Jason Zucker trade to the Penguins.