Oct. 07, 2024 20:00 PM EST

Wild Sign Top Goalie Prospect Jesper Wallstedt To 2-Year, $4.4 Million Extension

Winnipeg Jets' Alex Iafallo's (9) shot goes wide as Minnesota Wild's Ben Jones (39) defends in front of goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) during the second period of a NHL pre-season hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Saturday, Sept 21, 2024. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) John Woods, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Winnipeg Jets' Alex Iafallo's (9) shot goes wide as Minnesota Wild's Ben Jones (39) defends in front of goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) during the second period of a NHL pre-season hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Saturday, Sept 21, 2024. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Brad Lambert (93) tries to shoot against Minnesota Wild's goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) as Wild's Travis Boyd (72) defends during third-period NHL hockey preseason game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton attempts to tip the puck past Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt as Declan Chisholm defends during the first period of a NHL pre-season hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Saturday, Sept 21, 2024. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension on Monday, giving their prized prospect some security while waiting in the wings behind veterans Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson.

The 21-year-old Wallstedt made three starts for Minnesota last season and spent the rest of the time in the AHL. He went 22-19-6 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .910 save percentage in 45 games for the Iowa Wild. Wallstedt was the team's first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Vasteras, Sweden.

With Fleury and Gustavsson still in the fold, Wallstedt's outlook for playing time this season is unclear. But the Wild have signaled an interest in carrying three goaltenders for the time being. Minnesota opens the season at home against Columbus on Thursday.

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