You Betcha! Minnesota Wild are Serious Stanley Cup Contenders

The Minnesota Wild acquired Marc-André Fleury. Take that Minnesota Twins, the Wild stole the headlines.

Once again Minnesota Wild general ,manager Bill Guerin proved that he is not afraid to make polarizing roster moves. Acquiring the future first-ballot Hall of Fame goalie shows how serious Guerin believes in the current roster. In a matter of three days the Wild became tougher and solidified the weakest position on the team (over the past 15 games), goaltending.

This trade cost the Wild a 2022 conditional second-round pick (can become a first if Minnesota advances to the Western Conference Final and Fleury wins four or more games within the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs), which is not completely mortgaging the future. It shows that the team is in a win now mode. Guerin then added a replacement  second round pick after shipping out Jack “I am not signing with the Wild” McBain, to the Arizona Coyotes.

Have fun with that trade. Top Golf in Scottsdale is fun.

The Arizona Coyotes are not a good team, currently tied for last place with Seattle in the Western Conference. That pick should be an early second rounder, another win for Guerin and the Wild.

The addition of Fleury means that the Wild are serious about making a real run at the franchise’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Final. This move also answers the questions regarding whether or not we needed to make a move in the crease. This move is exciting but is also loaded with implications for the future. As for the present, we actually have a Stanley Cup window.

Mark my words, Fleury will be a star in Minnesota. How long this star shines in the North Star State, is to be determined. Now run to The Hockey Lodge and get your Fleury jersey today. A player as likable as Fleury will be adored by the fans in Minnesota.

If you look at Fleury’s numbers the past two seasons, it really is a tale of two goalies (or cities for that). Fleury spent this season trying his best to keep the Chicago Blackhawks competitive while keeping a smile on his face. That is the type of person he is.

His numbers (19-21-5, 2.95 goalsagainst average, four shutouts, and .908 save percentage) are impressive considering the team he played for. And honestly, with exception to the win-loss record, those are better than Cam Talbot’s numbers on a solid Wild team (25-12-0, 2.84 GAA, two shutouts, .910 SV%).

Last season, Fleury won his first Vezina Trophy, playing for the Vegas Golden Knights. His Vezina numbers included 26-10-0, a 1.98 GAA,six shutouts, and a .928 SV%. So which goalie did the Wild get? Given the struggles that Chicago had this season, I would bet that Fleury is closer to being that Vezina-caliber netminder over Chicago’s one-and-done, forgettable season.  Guerin thinks so too.

What does this trade mean for the Wild beyond this season? Do not be shocked if Guerin finds a way to re-sign Flower if the team has any real success the rest of this season.

Cue the “how do we re-sign Fleury?” talks.

Is this really a possibility? The team cleared out the need to re-sign Kaapo Kahkonen after shipping him off to San Jose. The team still has Talbot under contract next season and should move him after the season ends to clear cap space (if they are seriously going to try and keep Fleury). The Wild will obviously need to find a competent backup to spell Fleury every now and then.

How confident are the Wild in a possible Fleury and Hunter Jones duo next season? Hunter Jones is still very young and developing in Iowa (both with the Iowa Heartlanders and the Iowa Wild). Could Jones provide enough relief to keep the Wild relevant?

Re-signing former Wild goalie Andrew Hammond for a season to backup Fleury is another option. In his brief appearances with Montreal this season he won all three of his starts.

2021 first round pick Jesper Wallstedt playing with the big club is another option.

Jesper Wallstedt has played incredible this season going 11-10-0, with a 2.08 GAA, two  shutouts, and a .915 SV% for Lulea HF of the Swedish League. The thought of having Wallstedt play backup for a season or two and learn behind Fleury is something that could make Wild fans forget about possibly losing Kevin Fiala after this season.

The Wild do not need to look past this season, but rather enjoy the ride that Fleury and the team are about to go on.

Are the Wild now a legit Stanley Cup contender?

You Betcha.