The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension on Monday, giving their prized prospect some security as they waited in the wings behind veterans Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson.
The 21-year-old Wallstedt made three starts for Minnesota last season and spent the rest of the time in the AHL. He went 22-19-6 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .910 save percentage in 45 games for the Iowa Wild. Wallstedt was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Vasteras, Sweden.
With Fleury and Gustavsson still on the team, Wallstedt’s prospects for playing time this season are unclear. But the Wild have indicated they are interested in signing three goaltenders for the time being.
Monday afternoon was the deadline for the team to submit their opening night roster. On Sunday, the team had 27 players on its roster, four of whom were injured.
One notable name on the roster is the 2022 first-round draft pick Liam Ohgren. The promising twenty-year-old left winger from Stockholm had one goal and one assist this preseason.
Minnesota opens the season at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Puck Drop is scheduled for 7 p.m
