When trade chatter starts swirling around a young, high-upside player, it doesn’t take long for fanbases to start dreaming big. And right now, the name at the center of that buzz is Jesper Wallstedt - the 23-year-old goaltender for the Minnesota Wild who’s quietly putting together a strong rookie campaign.
Wallstedt isn’t just another young goalie. Drafted in the first round back in 2021 - the first Swedish-born netminder ever taken that high - the Wild saw something special in him early on, even trading up to make sure they got their guy.
After a couple of years of careful development, this season has been his true coming-out party. And while he’s cooled off a bit from his early-season surge, the numbers still paint a pretty compelling picture: a 2.71 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
Not elite, but certainly promising - and a clear upgrade for several teams in need.
So why would Minnesota even consider moving him?
The answer lies in the crease. Filip Gustavsson, the Wild’s current No. 1, has played well enough to earn a five-year extension that kicks in next season - at $6.8 million annually.
That’s not backup money. Barring injury or a dramatic drop in form, Gustavsson is the guy moving forward.
And that leaves Wallstedt - still on a relatively affordable deal - in a bit of a holding pattern.
The idea of a Wallstedt trade first gained traction when insider Michael Russo floated it while discussing a potential reunion with veteran Marc-Andre Fleury. The thinking: if the Wild are set on Gustavsson and need to address other areas - like a top-line center - Wallstedt might be their most valuable trade chip.
Elliotte Friedman echoed the same sentiment on a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, suggesting Minnesota may have already explored the idea. “We all know the Wild are going to try to get another player, probably a center,” Friedman said.
“We’re all sitting there saying, ‘What is Bill Guerin going to use?’ I think [Wallstedt] might be the guy.”
That brings us to the Philadelphia Flyers.
There’s no question the Flyers could use a goaltending upgrade. Sam Ersson has had his moments, particularly when Dan Vladar missed time, but his overall body of work this season has been shaky.
His GSAA (Goals Saved Above Average) sits at -19.85 - second-worst among goalies with at least 1,300 minutes played. Compare that to Wallstedt’s +10.76, which ranks him eighth in that same group.
That’s not just a marginal upgrade - it’s a seismic shift in net.
The Flyers have other names in the pipeline - Aleksei Kolosov is still an unknown, and Carson Bjarnason might be a year or two away - but none are ready to step in and stabilize the position right now. Wallstedt would be a plug-and-play solution with long-term upside. On paper, it makes perfect sense.
But here’s the catch: cost.
Minnesota isn’t shopping Wallstedt just to shake things up. If they move him, it’s going to be for a serious return - likely a top-line center.
And that’s exactly what the Flyers are also searching for. Right now, their center depth includes Christian Dvorak, Sean Couturier, Noah Cates, and Lane Pederson.
Rodrigo Abols is currently out, but he’s another option in the mix.
None of those names are likely to move the needle for Minnesota. Unless the Wild believe someone like Cates could blossom in a bigger role - and that’s a gamble - it’s hard to see a clean fit. And from Philly’s perspective, weakening an already thin position to bolster another isn’t a winning formula.
Could the Flyers try to build a package around other assets? Sure. But it would take a creative deal, and Minnesota might find more enticing offers elsewhere - especially from teams with surplus center depth.
There’s no doubt that Jesper Wallstedt would be a major addition for Philadelphia. He’s young, skilled, and already showing signs of becoming a high-end NHL starter. But unless something changes - either in Minnesota’s asking price or Philadelphia’s ability to meet it - this might be one trade that stays in the realm of “what if.”