Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
We aren’t even to the halfway point of the Minnesota Wild season and it’s already been one heck of a roller coaster ride. They started so slow that it legitimately felt like their season was in jeopardy.
Fast forward a few weeks and the MN Wild have earned points in each of their last 12 games, 10 of which they walked away as victors, with two points in-hand. Suddenly, they’re the hottest team in hockey, entering their matchup tonight in Calgary.
Minnesota Wild goalies leading early-season charge
There is plenty of credit to go around, for the Wild’s early-season turnaround. But amongst the most notable has been the ridiculously good goalie play. Both Filip Gustavsson and rookie Jesper Wallstedt have been lights out for most of the last month.
Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Gus Bus playing well is no surprise. There’s a reason president of hockey operations Bill Guerin extended him in the offseason. What has been a VERY pleasant surprise, however, is Wallstedt — who currently leads the league in shutouts with four.
In fact, Jesper has been playing so well that he’s starting to catch the eye of those voting for the 2025-26 Calder Trophy, which is awarded at the end of every season to the league’s top rookie.
Jesper Wallstedt gaining Calder Trophy steam
On Thursday, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski noted that, while Islanders forward Matthew Schaefer is currently the leader in the Calder Trophy clubhouse, Wallstedt is quickly gaining steam. In other words, ‘objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear’.
San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov is the only other rookie receiving votes over at ESPN, and he did get more than Wallstedt. Askarov is also a goalie (.910 save percentage, 2.96 GAA). If the Minnesota Wild netminder is going to have a real chance, he’ll have to play well enough to catch both Schafer and Askarov.
Over Schaefer’s shoulder are two young goaltenders who were the only other rookies to earn first-place votes from our panelists this month.
Minnesota’s Wallstedt earned just under 10% of the first-place votes thanks to a startling first 10 games for the Wild, during which he posted an 8-0-2 record, a. 944 save percentage and a 1.74 goals-against average.
It’s a limited sample vs. the other two finalists, but “The Wall of St. Paul” is making his mark early.
Greg Wyshynski – ESPN
Jesper Wallstedt has played 10 games this season for the MN Wild, and he is yet to lose a game in regulation. Having a near-50% shoutout rate is absurd, but his .944 save percentage is pacing the NHL too.
MN Wild rookie Jesper Wallstedt trying to help make NHL history
According to Wyshynski, the last time two goalies finished in the top three for Calder Trophy voting was in 1964-65, when Roger Crozier (Detroit) won it and Denis DeJordy (Chicago) finished third.
There were concerns as to how Wallstedt would fare, after being elevated into a regular NHL role, after Marc-Andre Fleury retired. But the Swedish goalie pairing in St. Paul has instead proven to be arguably the best in the league so far this season, which is now more than a quarter of the way complete.
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