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Current Goalie Situation A Mess; Future Wallstedt, Signed

May 16, 2022, 9:15 PM ET [9 Comments]
Dan Wallace
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
We thought last off season was going to be full of activity, it may be outdone this off-season.

Yes, the Wild improved markedly during the regular season, with many players producing career seasons.. The team also recorded their best overall record finishing with 53 wins and 113 points.

That said it is all about playoff success, and that is where the Wild are still lacking.

This group appeared to have that something special with how they battled for each other, with everyone buying into what Dean Evason was selling.

Wild GM, Bill Guerin, did not want to upset the chemistry when it came down to the trade deadline and who was going to be added of anyone at all. In the end the big splash was made to acquire Marc-Andre Fleury for what has turned out to be a second round draft pick now.

The additions of Tyson Jost and Jake Middleton were both upgrades to the roster, while adding Nic Deslauriers for his toughness seemed to be a bonus. Marc-Andre Fleury was the late addition on deadline day and all seemed to be good for the Wild and especially the locker room

However, the early playoff exit, and more importantly the snub of Cam Talbot when the playoffs began. Talbot, of course, got inserted in game six, and ultimately put in a very difficult position.

Now the room that was so cohesive began to come unraveled with Talbot playing the part of good teammate on the surface, but underneath he was fuming. That was evident by a few social media posts by Cam's wife voicing her displeasure with how things were handled.

So now the Wild have to move forward and the goaltending situation is not exactly a clear picture. Yes, Talbot has a year left on his contract, but how does he feel coming back to play for a team and head coach that shows little to no confidence in him? That remains to be seen, along with the future of Marc-Andre Fleury and do the Wild resign him, if he even wants to stay and play another season here.

On the future Wild goalie scene, last season's first round draft choice, Jesper Wallstedt, has inked his three year entry level deal. That said he is not in the plans for the Wild immediately.

Yes, Talbot may have been snubbed in many Wild fans eyes and they have a legitimate gripe, but in the end Talbot still allowed a horrendous goal to Nick Leddy I'm game six that totally took the wind from the Wild sails.

There is a two fold issue there. In the playoffs it is not necessarily the number of goals a goalie gives up, as musmch as it is the type of goals yielded and the timing of those goals that often define a series. Secondly, how the Wild were never able to overcome a single goal is more maddening to say the least.

This team that seamed so resilient for most of the season became very ordinary in the bright lights of the playoffs.

The Wild seemed to play regular season hockey through games 83 through 88, rather than turn up the sense of urgency that is necessary in the playoffs. The fact that the Wild really had limited legitimate scoring opportunities in game six, and not until they were down by four goals did they really make any concerted effort to score.

It was a very good regular season, no doubt, but the playoffs left every8ne wanting more from this group.

It is time to get a legitimate first line center, period! Ryan Hartman played his tail off as he always has throughout his NHL career. That said, he is not a top line pivot and when it comes time to matchup in the playoffs that is a severe handicap to the Wild. Freddy Gaudreau had some playoff success with Nashville a few seasons back, but he was in large part a nonfactor in the postseason.

Joel Eriksson Ek is as legitimate as they come when discussing best shutdown centers in the league, he is right in the middle of that conversation. He and his linemates form one of the most challenging trios to matchup with in the entire NHL.

Kirill Kaprizov is a bonafide talent and he is scratching the surface of what he can become. He and Mats Zuccarello formed a lethal duo and that should continue moving forward, but a legit top line center could catapult Kaprizov into the stratosphere of NHL scorers and that cannot be overlooked.

We know all about the cap crunch the Wild are under these next three seasons, and GM, Bill Guerin has a lot of work that needs to be done.

Like I have said numerous times here, he had a plan that he sold to Wild owner, Craig Leipold, and I am certain it was not operating with a handcuffed payroll for each of the next three seasons. I don't know the plan and I cannot even speculate on what it entails, but I will not be surprised to watch in unfold.

We have heard all about Kevin Fiala and Matt Dumba and how there is no way that they can both exist on the Wild roster moving forward. Fiala is an RFA and Dumba has one year remaining on his $6M per season contract. Guerin is the first Wild GM, to put faith in Dumba, so one would have to think #24 has a leg up here. However, with an expiring contract is Dumba more attractive to move before the season begins or wait until the deadline next year?

Fiala had a superb second half of the season and developed quite the chemistry with rookie, Matt Boldy. But his bad penalties and lack of production in the playoffs, may have sealed his fate

Guerin has assets that he can move and he will not hesitate to make the necessary decisions to make this Wild team into a winner. The cupboard is stocked with prospect talent and some of not all of those players can make the Wild roster.

I have to believe that Calen Addison, along with Fiala, and possibly Dumba will be the prime movable assets to net the type of return Guerin is looking for. One of the defensemen, either Dmitry Kulikov or Alex Goligoski will be moved with Kulikov more likely.

It will be an eventful next few months....
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