Minnesota Wild Signs Filip Gustavsson Five-Year $34M Extension

The Minnesota Wild have secured their future goalie situation by signing Filip Gustavsson to a five-year, $34 million contract extension, which will begin next season and run through 2030-31. Gustavsson, who was acquired in a trade from Ottawa and initially served as a backup, has emerged as a key player for the Wild with strong performances, including a standout 2022-23 season where he posted a .931 save percentage and a 2.10 goals-against average. Despite a challenging 2023-24 season, he rebounded well last year, solidifying his role as the Wild's starting netminder following the retirement of Marc-Andre Fleury. This extension locks in Gustavsson at a $6.8 million average annual cap hit, providing the Wild with stability in goal as they enter their Stanley Cup contending window. The team now has contract security for all their core players, allowing them to focus on bridging deals and extensions for younger prospects. Gustavsson expressed excitement about stepping into the lead role and no longer playing in the shadow of Fleury, relishing the opportunity to be the primary goalie moving forward.