Wild sign Gustavsson to an $11+ million deal

This just in, the Minnesota Wild have signed goaltender Filip Gustavsson to a three year deal worth $3.75 million per season.

Check it out:

From the Wild's official press release announcement:

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed goalie Filip Gustavsson to a three-year, $11,250,00 contract ($3,750,000 average annual value) that goes through the 2025-26 season.

Gustavsson, 25 (6/7/98), appeared in 39 games (37 starts) with Minnesota last season and went 22-9-7 with three shutouts, a 2.10 goals-against average (GAA) and a .931 save percentage (SV%). The 6-foot-3, 193-pound native of Skelleftea, Sweden ranked second in the NHL in GAA and SV% and set new career-highs in games played, starts, wins and shutouts. Gustavsson was named Third Star of the Week on March 6 after posting a 2-0-0 record with a 0.48 GAA and a SV% of .986, stopping 70-of-71 shots faced. He set a career-best shutout streak of 177 minutes and 13 seconds across four games from Feb. 28 to Mar. 12, the third-longest streak in franchise history. The goaltender made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut at Dallas on April 17 and made a franchise record 51 saves in a 3-2 double overtime win. He went 2-3 with a 2.33 GAA and a .921 SV% in five playoff starts and ranked fourth in the NHL in GAA and T-5th in SV% in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

He made his NHL debut in relief on March 17, 2021 vs. the Vancouver Canucks and stopped 35-of-36 shots faced in his first career NHL start, a 2-1 win vs. Calgary on March 24, 2021. Gustavsson is 32-22-10 with a 2.51 GAA and a .920 SV% in 66 career NHL games (60 starts) with the Wild and Ottawa Senators. 

He went 4-1 with a 1.81 GAA and a .924 SV% in five games to help Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Gustavsson led the tournament in GAA, was voted to the tournament all-star team and was recognized as the tournament's top goaltender. He also represented Sweden as the third goaltender at the 2018 IIHF World Hockey Championship and played in one game for Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. Gustavsson went 3-1 with a 2.70 GAA and a .906 SV% in four games to help Sweden earn a bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

He was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (55th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The Wild acquired Gustavsson from Ottawa in exchange for goaltender Cam Talbot on July 12, 2022.

- Filip Gustavsson

The 25 year old Swedish netminder had an absolutely stellar season with the Wild in 2022-23. He posted a 2.10 goals against average and an incredible .931 save percentage in 39 games, while splitting time with veteran and future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury. 

I imagine that the Wild will institute a bit of a goaltending tandem between Gustavsson and Fleury this upcoming season, with the top performer getting the lion's share of the action. Frankly, I think it'll be an interesting dynamic to watch this upcoming season.