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2h ago

Wild Lock Up Goalie Filip Gustavsson After Kaprizov Mega-Extension

The moves consolidate Minnesota’s under‑30 core and establish a new salary benchmark that is reshaping winger negotiations across the league.

Apr 29, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
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Overview

  • Minnesota signed starting netminder Filip Gustavsson to a five-year, $34 million extension at a $6.8 million AAV, with the deal beginning in the 2026–27 season.
  • Gustavsson, 27, secured the crease after a 2024–25 rebound season (31-19-6, 2.56 GAA, .914 SV%) that earned him sixth place in Vezina Trophy voting, with Jesper Wallstedt expected to back him up following Marc‑Andre Fleury’s retirement.
  • Earlier this week, Kirill Kaprizov agreed to an eight-year, $136 million contract that carries a $17 million AAV, reported as the largest deal in NHL history by total value and a new top-line salary benchmark.
  • Analysts say Kaprizov’s figure is already elevating expected asks for top 2026 UFAs, with projections rising into roughly $11 million-plus for Adrian Kempe and $12–13 million for Kyle Connor on full-term deals.
  • With Kaprizov and Gustavsson joined by Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber on multiyear pacts, insiders have suggested the Wild could seek additional star talent, with Artemi Panarin mentioned as a speculative target.