In 2026, a potential trade between the Minnesota Wild and the Ottawa Senators is gaining traction-and for good reason. It’s the kind of deal that checks boxes for both franchises, built around a simple but high-stakes framework: Jesper Wallstedt to Ottawa, and a young, impact center like Dylan Cozens to Minnesota.
Let’s break down why this is more than just rumor mill chatter-it’s a trade that makes real hockey sense.
Minnesota’s Shift in Goaltending Philosophy
For a while, Jesper Wallstedt was the crown jewel in Minnesota’s pipeline. Drafted to be the franchise goalie of the future, he’s long been viewed as a cornerstone piece. But things change quickly in the NHL, and the Wild’s current trajectory is forcing a reassessment.
Filip Gustavsson has taken command of the net at the NHL level, giving Minnesota a reliable presence in goal right now. Combine that with the team’s recent blockbuster acquisition of Quinn Hughes, and you’ve got a front office clearly signaling that the window to compete is wide open.
The cost of that Hughes trade? Marco Rossi, one of the team’s most promising young centers.
That leaves a glaring hole down the middle-a position Minnesota has struggled to solidify for years. So when you’re sitting on a blue-chip goalie prospect and already have your NHL crease stabilized, flipping that prospect to fill a critical roster need becomes a logical next step.
Ottawa’s Goaltending Carousel
If there’s one team that understands the cost of not having a long-term solution in net, it’s the Senators. Ottawa’s had strong underlying numbers in recent seasons-possession metrics, shot quality, scoring depth-but goaltending has consistently let them down. Short-term fixes, inconsistent play, and a revolving door in the crease have derailed more than one playoff push.
That’s where Wallstedt comes in. He’s not just a fix; he’s a potential franchise cornerstone.
And for a team with a young core already in place-loaded with skilled forwards and promising defensemen-he could be the final piece that brings it all together. It’s a steep price, but elite goaltending prospects don’t hit the trade market often.
When they do, teams like Ottawa can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.
Why Dylan Cozens Fits the Wild’s Puzzle
If Minnesota’s going to move Wallstedt, it has to be for a player who fits both the current roster and the long-term plan. Dylan Cozens checks every box.
Big. Fast.
Two-way responsible. Cozens is the kind of center you can plug into a top-six role and trust in all situations.
He broke out with a 31-goal, 68-point season in Buffalo back in 2022-23, and after being dealt to Ottawa at the 2025 deadline, he didn’t miss a beat-posting 16 points in his first 21 games as a Senator.
That kind of production, combined with his age and pedigree, makes him the ideal return in a “hockey trade.” He’s not a rental.
He’s a foundational piece who can grow with Minnesota’s core, slotting in behind Kirill Kaprizov and complementing a revamped blue line that now features Hughes. The Wild aren’t just looking for bodies-they’re looking for players who can help them win now and shape the future.
Cozens fits that bill.
A Rare Roster Fit
This isn’t just about needs-it’s about how perfectly those needs align. Minnesota has a surplus in goal.
Ottawa has a surplus down the middle. And both teams are in phases of their competitive cycle where making a bold move could pay off in a big way.
Names like Ridley Greig and Shane Pinto have also been floated as potential fits from Ottawa’s side, but Cozens is the name that keeps rising to the top. One proposed framework has Minnesota receiving Cozens and a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for Wallstedt. That’s a deal that gives the Wild a legitimate top-six center and a future asset, while Ottawa finally locks down the kind of goaltending stability that’s eluded them for years.
What Needs to Happen
Of course, talk is just talk until the front offices pull the trigger. For this deal to materialize, two things need to happen:
- Minnesota has to fully commit to the now. That means accepting that Wallstedt’s greatest value to the franchise might come not from what he does in a Wild jersey, but from what he can bring back in a trade.
- **Ottawa has to acknowledge that patchwork goaltending won’t cut it anymore.
** If they want to take the next step with their young core, they need to pay the price for a long-term solution in net. That price might be Cozens.
If both teams get there, this isn’t just a good trade-it’s a smart one. The kind of rare, player-for-player deal that addresses real needs on both sides and could reshape each franchise’s trajectory.
The pieces are on the board. Now it’s just a matter of whether the GMs are ready to make the move.