The Minnesota Wild are navigating a goalie crisis during their playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche. But even if they get out of a 2-0 hole, it could continue into the offseason with the status of Filip Gustavsson.
Gustavsson is locked into Minnesota at the moment after signing a four-year, $34 million contract extension before the start of this season. But his recent play has opened the possibility of him being traded this summer and according to NHL reporter Jim Matheson, the Edmonton Oilers could be interested if he’s made available.
“Should they take a bigger swing and see if Minnesota now wants to trade Filip Gustavsson with [Jesper Wallstedt], their playoff guy right now at $2.2 million for the upcoming season?” Matheson wrote in the Edmonton Journal this week. “Gustavsson’s four-year extension at $6.8 million AAV starts in 2026-27. Yes, Bill Guerin played here – Once an Oiler, Always an Oiler. But would the Wild GM really trade him to a conference rival?”
Oilers could let Wild out of Filip Gustavsson mistake (if he allows it)
Matheson’s hunch is pure speculation, but it could make a lot of sense on the Oilers’ end. Edmonton has watched two runs to the Stanley Cup Final foiled by the play of Stuart Skinner and even though the Oilers traded Skinner last December and replaced him with Tristan Jarry, the results were the same as they were bounced in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks.
Mix in the regret of a draft-day trade that gave the Wild Wallstedt in 2021, and the Oilers are scrambling for a goalie solution as Connor McDavid enters a two-year, $25 million contract extension signed last summer. But even if Edmonton is interested in Gustavsson to keep their star happy, there’s plenty of hurdles to a deal.
According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have the cap space ($16.49 million) to fit Gustavsson’s contract. But it also contains a no movement clause running through the 2030-31 season. Gustavsson would have to waive that clause to go to Edmonton, but recent events and the chance to play with a perennial contender could be enough to make it happen.
While Gustavsson wasn’t terrible for the Wild this season, going 28-15-6 with a 2.67 goals against average and .911 save percentage in 50 games, he lost the net for the playoffs after allowing 39 goals and posting an .895 save percentage in his final 14 starts.
Gustavsson’s lukewarm comments after his final regular season start against the St. Louis Blues didn’t help matters and he seemed to show a smoldering attitude to the decision when talking to reporters during the first-round series against the Dallas Stars and after his Game 2 loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday.
This could lead the Wild to roll with Wallstedt after his breakout performance during the playoffs. Doing so would also help the Wild get $20.4 million in cap space for next season and assets that could help them land a No. 1 center. But Guerin could still hesitate sending Gustavsson to a Western Conference rival months after signing him to a big deal and Gustavsson could use his NMC knowing he holds the cards on where he ends up.
It’s part of a shocking turn that could see the 27-year-old leave town before his contract kicks in next season. But it also gives the Wild a potential suitor if they want to try and erase their mistake this summer.
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