Contract Extension for Filip Gustavsson
The Minnesota Wild are reportedly in the final stages of negotiating a five-year contract extension worth $34 million with their starting goalie, Filip Gustavsson, as per sources from ESPN on Saturday. This development marks the second significant transaction for the Wild this week, following the franchise’s historic agreement with star forward Kirill Kaprizov on an eight-year deal valued at $136 million earlier this week.
Gustavsson’s Performance and Career
Filip Gustavsson, who is 27 years old, was set to enter the last year of his previous contract that earned him $3.75 million annually. Last season, he distinguished himself as one of the NHL’s most reliable goaltenders, participating in a career-best 58 games. He secured a record of 31 wins, 19 losses, and 6 overtime losses, posting a goals-against average of 2.56 along with a save percentage of .914. His impressive performance also earned him recognition, finishing sixth in the voting for the Vezina Trophy, with two votes for third place.
Career Journey
Originally drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gustavsson began his NHL journey with the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the Wild in 2022 in exchange for Cam Talbot. He initially shared goaltending duties with the seasoned Marc-Andre Fleury but eventually solidified his position as the Wild’s primary starter after Fleury’s recent retirement.
Future Outlook
As the new season approaches, Gustavsson is expected to have Jesper Wallstedt, a first-round draft pick from 2021, as his backup. The impending extension reflects the Wild’s strategy of securing key players under the age of 30 to long-term contracts, which now includes not only Gustavsson and Kaprizov but also talents like Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Brock Faber. Several rising stars on entry-level contracts, such as Liam Ohgren, David Jiricek, and Zeev Buium, are also set to play pivotal roles this season.
Team Goals
With the goaltending market currently perceived as competitive and somewhat limited, this contract for Gustavsson aligns with Minnesota’s goal of strengthening its roster. Last season, the Wild finished fourth in the Central Division, a group that is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the NHL. The team aims to bounce back after their early postseason exit against the Vegas Golden Knights last year.
