The Minnesota Wild have re-signed Filip Gustavsson to a three-year contract worth $11.25M. The contract carries the goaltender through the 2025-26 season. After the 2022-23 season, the Wild acquired Gustavsson from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Cam Talbot.
🗣️ ALL ABOARD! 🚌
We’ve signed goaltender Filip Gustavsson to a 3 year, $11.25M contract!
Full details » https://t.co/njnkbosiAz#mnwild pic.twitter.com/b2nnhls4Nh
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 31, 2023
Filip Gustavsson‘s New Contract With Minnesota Wild Was Earned
Filip Gustavsson Secures Spot In Net With Minnesota Wild
After elevating his game during this past season, Gustavsson shocked Wild fans and staff alike. After playing 39 games with Minnesota, the netminder completed the season with a record of 22-9-7, 2.10 goals against average, and a .931 save percentage, which puts him second in the league behind the Boston Bruins’ Linus Ullmark. In addition, Gustavsson’s 24.2 goals saved above expected put him seventh in the league. With these statistics, only 39 games were needed to convince the Wild they needed to give Gustavsson a new contract.
Drafted in 2016’s second round, 55th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gustavsson had no NHL experience until his time in Ottawa. Split between the Minnesota Wild and Ottowa Senators, Gustavsson played 66 games with a record of 32-22-10, 2.51 goals against average, and a .920 save percentage.
Minnesota Won The Gamble
Trading experienced goaltender Cam Talbot for Gustavsson was a gamble for the Wild. Familiar with Gustavsson after his time in Pittsburg, General Manager Bill Guerin knew that the rookie goalie showed promise. But, the goaltender had only played for a struggling Senator’s team. Thus, Gustavsson had no record to indicate what he was capable of.
Showing up to training camp, the Wild knew Gustavsson had some things to work on, specifically conditioning. The choice was easy; Gustavsson would be backup to veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. However, no one predicted Gustavsson’s calm and collected playing style would lead him to dominate the net. The goalie played so well that the coaching staff was forced to demote the flashy, future-hall-of-famer, Fluery to backup goalie and promote Gustavsson to starter. Hence the Wild knew they needed to resign the rookie, and Gustavsson was due a hefty raise from his expiring $787,500 contract.
No doubt Minnesota wanted to give Gustavsson a new contract after an impressive first season with the Wild. Gustavsson felt the same way about Minnesota. When asked about resigning with Minnesota, Gustavsson said “I pretty much told my agent to call me when the contract is done, and I’ll see what it is.”
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
