Marcus Johansson Gets His Olympic Shot as Wild Juggle Injuries, Trade Rumors, and Big Dreams
Marcus Johansson is heading to the Olympics - and it’s not just a feel-good story, it’s a testament to a veteran winger who’s found another gear this season. With 35 points in 49 games, Johansson’s resurgence has come at the perfect time, both for himself and for a Team Sweden roster that's been hit hard by injuries. He’ll join Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm as late additions, with Johansson stepping in for Leo Carlsson and Lindholm replacing the Wild’s own Jonas Brodin.
For Johansson, this isn’t just a career milestone - it’s the kind of moment that rewards years of steady, often underappreciated play. He’s always been a reliable two-way forward, but this season he’s added a bit more flash to his game, producing at a pace that few saw coming. Now, he gets to wear his country’s colors on the Olympic stage, and he’s earned every bit of it.
As for Lindholm, his selection comes with a bit of a sting for Minnesota fans. Losing Brodin is a blow - there’s no sugarcoating that.
He’s been a rock on the Wild blue line for years, and his absence will be felt on both ends of the ice. But Lindholm brings a similar skill set: smooth skating, smart positioning, and the ability to eat big minutes.
Sweden’s defense won’t fall apart, but there’s no denying Brodin’s loss changes the equation for both the national team and the Wild.
Back home, the Wild are dealing with more than just Olympic call-ups and injuries. The front office is reportedly fielding calls - and making some of their own - involving top goaltending prospect Jesper Wallstedt.
The 23-year-old netminder is one of the most promising young goalies in the game, and he’s shown flashes of the kind of upside that teams build around. But Minnesota’s need for a top-six center remains glaring, and Wallstedt’s name has surfaced in trade talks as a potential chip to bring in immediate help.
It’s a risky proposition. Wallstedt could be a franchise goalie for the next decade.
Trading him now would be a bold, win-now move - one that could pay off if the right center comes back, but could also haunt the team if he blossoms elsewhere. That’s the kind of high-stakes decision that defines front offices.
And if we’re talking about dream scenarios, there’s one name that keeps popping up in Wild circles: Nico Hischier. The Devils captain would be a game-changer in Minnesota - a two-way center with elite hockey IQ, leadership, and the kind of 200-foot game that could elevate the Wild from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender. Landing Hischier would be a moonshot, but it’s the kind of move that could shift the balance of power in the Western Conference, especially in a race that includes heavyweights like Colorado.
So, while Johansson gets his Olympic moment and Brodin takes a tough injury hit, the Wild are at a crossroads. Between navigating international absences, managing injuries, and weighing franchise-altering trade decisions, Minnesota’s front office has its hands full. The next few weeks could shape not just the rest of this season, but the team’s trajectory for years to come.