Report: The Price Tag To Acquire Jesper Wallstedt Is Through The Roof

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt

The Ottawa Senators are desperately in need of some help for Linus Ullmark. The Sens No. 1 goalie needs help in more of a "tag-team" type of arrangement, instead of being counted on night after night.

To that end, there have been rumors of Ottawa's interest in the Minnesota Wild's sensational rookie netminder Jesper Wallstedt. But according to Bruce Garrioch in the Ottawa Citizen, the asking price for the Wild's freshman phenom between the pipes has skyrocketed to a point that a trade would be untenable.

Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild is a fan favourite amongst the Ottawa base. If the Wild are going to deal him — and it’s doubtful after the club’s playoff performance — then GM Bill Guerin will want a huge return.
The belief is that the Wild would want Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk as part of a package for Wallstedt.

Whoa. That is one hefty price tag. Yes, Wallstedt took over the starting duties for Minnesota down the stretch and through the playoffs. And yes, he posted a .915 save percentage in his rookie season, and a .909 Sv% in these playoffs.

But as Garrioch correctly opines, "You’re not paying that price for a No. 2 goalie."

Some might argue that if Wallstedt were to come to Ottawa, he wouldn't actually be "No. 2", but a 1A-1B tandem with Ullmark, at least.

Ullmark had a difficult season this year, posting a Sv% under .900 (.891) for the first time in his career, and also having to take a mental health leave for a few weeks in the middle of the campaign. This, of course, is why the Senators are trying to find a legit partner to split time with him in the crease.

But Brady Tkachuk is obviously a non-starter in any conversation of that kind, or of any kind, really, for Ottawa, at this point, despite the rumors that have buzzed around their captain in the second half of the season.