Who is Filip Gustavsson? Is there going to be a possible back-up goalie controversy in Minnesota?

 

When Cam Talbot was traded to the Ottawa Senators back in July, I wasn’t exactly surprised that happened. However, when it was announced the Wild were getting goalie Filip Gustavsson in return. My first thought was “who is he?”

To be honest with you, I never really heard of Gustavsson until he was traded. So, who is Filip Gustavsson?

Well, he’s a 24-year-old Skelleftea, Sweden native who split time between Ottawa and their AHL affiliate Belleville. Last season with Ottawa in 18 games, Gustavsson posted a 5-12-1 record to go along with a 3.55 GAA and .892 save percentage. He also appeared in 20 games in Belleville, going 11-6-1 with a 2.50 GAA, .915 save percentage, and 2 shutouts. He’s a former second round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016) and also spent time with the Swedish Junior National team (2016 bronze medal 2016 IIHF World Under-18 and 2018 silver medal 2018 IIHF World Juniors).

Filip Gustavsson during a preseason game

I will admit that I didn’t get to see Gustavsson when he was in net when the Senators came to town last season. In that game, So, my first chance to see him in net was when the Wild faced the Blackhawks on Thursday (October 6).  In my opinion, he looked good in net. He stopped 25 out of 26 shots. The one goal he let in would be considered a softy, otherwise he was solid in the net for the Wild.

When the puck drops for real on October 13, Gustavsson will be the #2 goalie behind Marc-Andre Fleury.

Now, the question is how long do you keep Jesper Wallstedt in Iowa? First, Wild GM Bill Guerin has said he’s not going to rush the teenage goalie’s development. I think that’s a smart move for now as he gets adjusted to the North American rinks. Even Wallstedt knows this is going to be an adjustment as he gets used to the rinks here. He even stated so in a recent quote after a Wild practice:

“The angles are different here from back home, on the smaller ice. But I think I just have to keep improving my speed and my lateral movements on the ice and on my feet and become faster every day. Just try to improve the reading for the game and try to see plays happen before they do.”

It’s a smart move on Guerin’s part to have Wallstedt be down in Iowa, considering that he’s only 19 (he’ll turn 20 in November) and this is going to be his first season here in North America. He’ll split time in Iowa with former University of North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre, who signed with the Iowa Wild in January.

Jesper Wallstedt during training camp
with the Minnesota Wild

As far as a back-up goalie controversy? I really don’t see one. If Fleury or Gustavsson were to get injured (hopefully that does NOT happen), the next to be called up to the Wild would probably be Zane McIntyre. McIntyre’s last appearance in the NHL came with the Boston Bruins back during the 2016-17 season where he appeared in at least eight games.

I believe the Wild are going to give Wallstedt at least a full year in Iowa and let him develop. He very well could end up being in a Minnesota Wild uniform full time next year—depending how Gustavsson plays this year, with this being a contract year for him.

Filip Gustavsson is the #2 goalie for at least this year.

Sources:

Wild’s Jesper Wallstedt impressing in first camp, but don’t expect a fast track (Michael Russo, The Athletic, Sept. 27, 2002)

Jesper Wallstedt