The Edmonton Oilers just can’t seem to solve Jesper Wallstedt.
The Minnesota Wild’s young netminder has been a thorn in their side all season, stopping 72 of 75 shots in two road wins at Rogers Place. For a team built around high-octane offense, getting stymied like that is frustrating enough - but when the goalie doing the stymieing is the one that slipped through your fingers on draft night? That’s a different kind of sting.
Let’s rewind to the 2021 NHL Draft. Edmonton held the 20th overall pick but traded down with Minnesota, receiving the 22nd pick (used on Xavier Bourgault) and a third-rounder in return.
The Wild used their newly acquired pick to snag Wallstedt - a highly touted Swedish goaltender who, at the time, was considered the best netminder in the draft. Fast forward to now, and Wallstedt is turning heads with a 14-5-4 record, a 2.72 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and four shutouts in just 23 starts.
He’s also in the first year of a two-year, $4.4 million extension. In short: he’s looking every bit like the franchise goalie Minnesota hoped he’d become.
And now, his name is popping up in trade rumors.
That’s right. Despite his strong play and young age, Wallstedt has reportedly been floated as a potential trade chip - but not for just anyone.
Minnesota is said to be seeking an elite, impact player in return, ideally a center. From Edmonton’s side of things, that would mean parting with someone like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who remains a vital piece of the team’s core and is highly unlikely to be moved.
Still, the idea of bringing Wallstedt to Alberta has caught some traction. During Saturday’s game, Sportsnet’s Mark Spector stirred the pot with a bold take on social media: “Hot take: Oilers should trade for Wallstedt.”
It’s not hard to see why. Edmonton’s goaltending situation has been in flux all season, and while they did bring in Tristan Jarry just a month ago, Wallstedt represents something different - a long-term solution with superstar upside.
Of course, there’s a big difference between wanting a player and being able to pry him loose. Minnesota GM Bill Guerin reportedly had a lengthy conversation with Oilers GM Stan Bowman during Saturday’s game, which raised some eyebrows. While there’s no confirmation about what was discussed, it’s the kind of moment that makes you wonder if the wheels are turning behind the scenes.
The reality? A deal for Wallstedt would be tough to pull off.
Unless Guerin softens his stance and opens the door to a futures-heavy package - think picks and top-tier prospects - it’s hard to see a path forward. Edmonton isn’t likely to sacrifice a key piece from its current roster in the middle of a playoff push.
But in the NHL, things can change quickly. A month ago, nobody would’ve guessed Wallstedt might be available. Now, his name is out there, and the Oilers - who know better than anyone what he can do - have to at least kick the tires.
If there’s a crack in the door, Edmonton might want to wedge a skate in. Because if Jesper Wallstedt keeps playing like this, he won’t just be the goalie who got away - he might be the one who keeps them from getting where they want to go.