Gustavsson is nearing an extension with the Minnesota Wild, continuing a plan to lock in a core under 30 after Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million deal. The Swede posted a career-best season (58 games, 2.56 GAA, .914 SV%) and finished pick sixth in Vezina voting, underscoring why Minnesota wants stability in net.

The move signals a multi-year commitment to a young core (Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Faber) with Wallstedt waiting in the wings. Minnesota’s goaltending market is thin, and the Wild aim to rebound in a stacked Central after last year’s first-round exit to Vegas, while developing Ohgren, Jiricek, and Buium on entry deals.