NHL Rumors: Wild Could Revisit Blockbuster Trade in Offseason

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes reacts on the bench during 2025 game.

The Minnesota Wild walked out of the trade deadline with more depth, more grit, and one very important piece still in the organization: Jesper Wallstedt. 

For weeks, Wallstedt’s name hovered over Minnesota’s search for a top-six center, with the club linked to bigger swings up front, but Bill Guerin ultimately chose not to cash in one of the organization’s biggest future assets for a deadline splash. 

Instead, the Wild added around the edges with players like Bobby Brink, Nick Foligno, Jeff Petry, Michael McCarron, and Robby Fabbri, while holding onto Wallstedt and their top-end futures.

Wild Trade Deadline Left Jesper Wallstedt Untouched

That does not mean the Jesper Wallstedt chatter is gone. 

It might have just got delayed. 

Earlier reporting made it clear Minnesota was open to discussing Wallstedt in the right deal, especially for a legitimate center, and Dave Pagnotta said over the weekend that the Wild could circle back to exploring a Wallstedt move in the summer. 

The club showed interest in center help, including Vincent Trocheck, but never found a price point it liked enough to part with Wallstedt. Guerin later said the asking prices on premium targets were “extremely high,” and that the Wild still had to be responsible. 

Summer Could Reopen Jesper Wallstedt Trade Talks

The 23-year-old has already shown why teams covet him, and recent returns against top competition have only fueled that belief.

Minnesota also has Filip Gustavsson in place, which gives the front office flexibility if the right center becomes available once the market resets in the offseason. 

That feels like the big difference here. The Wild did not want to force a move in March, especially after already making a franchise-shifting swing earlier in the season for Quinn Hughes, but they also did not shut the door on using Wallstedt later if a better opportunity opens up.

In his first full NHL season, Wallstedt has recorded a .911 save percentage, 2.81 GAA, four shutouts, and a 14-6-5 record across 25 starts.

In the short term, the Wild are heading into the stretch run with a deeper roster but still some questions down the middle, especially after watching the Colorado Avalanche land Nazem Kadri. 

Minnesota protected its future at the deadline and avoided a move it could regret, but Wallstedt remains one of the most valuable trade chips they have. 

If Guerin goes star hunting again this summer, his top goalie prospect could be right back in the middle of it. 

Photo Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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