Wild Extend Filip Gustavsson to 5-Year Contract

Gustavsson has spent three seasons with the Wild, all with varying success. In 2022–23, he notched a .931 save percentage, 2.10 goals-against average, and a 22–9–7 record across 39 appearances. Seemingly poised to be the next big thing in Minnesota, he inked a three-year extension at age 25.

But then, Gustavsson’s play fell off the map. As an elite defense’s No. 1 guy, he posted an underwhelming .899 save percentage, 3.06 goals-against average, and a 20–18–4 record in the 2023–24 campaign. Fortunately, however, he righted the ship last season. He had a .914 save percentage, 2.56 goals-against average, and a 31–19–6 record, placing him among the league’s upper-echelon of goaltenders.

The Wild are betting on Gustavsson to sustain that level of play, or at least come close to it, over the next six seasons (the five-year deal doesn’t kick in until 2026–27). If he can, an average annual value of just $6.8 million will be a steal. But if inconsistency is in his future, the five-year term and semi-expensive salary could become an albatross.