The Florida Panthers are clinging to their playoff hopes by a thread. With a record of 35-32-3 and 73 points, they trail the New York Islanders for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference by 14 points. Despite this, they still hope to become the first team since the Islanders of the early 80s to win three straight Stanley Cups.
With an eye on the postseason, management is also looking ahead to next season. Both goaltenders, Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, are in the final year of their contracts. Talks have started with Bobrovsky, but there are no reports of an extension on the table for Tarasov.
With that in mind, general manager Bill Zito should call up Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin and make an offer for Jesper Wallstedt. Next season, he will be entering the final year of his deal before he becomes a restricted free agent (RFA).
Wallstedt’s NHL Resume
The 23-year-old from Vasteras, Sweden, was drafted 20th overall by the Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He took home a bronze medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, leading all goalies with a .940 save percentage (SV%) and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.62. He saw his first glimpse of pro hockey in North America with the Iowa Wild in the 2022-23 season, posting a 2.68 GAA and a .908 SV%.
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In 2023-24, he had his first taste of NHL action, playing three games and recording two wins, including a shutout. This season, he’s played 36 games, posting a SV% of .912, a GAA of 2.73, 15 wins, and four shutouts. He was also named to Team Sweden’s roster at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, although he didn’t play. He has the talent and resume to become a starting NHL goaltender, and could be that in Florida.
Wallstedt Would Fix Uncertainty in Panthers’ Net
Not only are Bobrovsky and Tarasov set to be free agents this summer, but the team also lost their former backup, Spencer Knight, to the Chicago Blackhawks in last season’s trade for Seth Jones. Assuming talks go south with their two pending free agents, acquiring Wallstedt would solidify the position with a young, promising goaltender.
Even if Bobrovsky re-signs on a team-friendly deal, he will turn 38 this year. Wallstedt would help solidify the future of the team’s goaltending while Bobrovsky can still play meaningful games.
What Would the Panthers Have to Offer?
Given Wallstedt’s potential, Zito would have to make a significant offer to land the Swedish netminder. It would likely cost a first-round pick along with roster players or prospects. Florida could dangle forwards Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich; Mackie, at least, is a younger forward with a huge upside.
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If the team manages to keep their first-round pick this season (it is slated to go to the Blackhawks from that same Jones trade, but it is top-10 protected), they should leverage it in a trade rather than draft a goalie. If they don’t, the Wild will have to be willing to wait until 2028 to get that first-round selection for Wallstedt.
Will Wallstedt Be in a Panther Sweater Next Season?
The Panthers need to shore up their goaltending and are willing to ship out assets to do it. The chances of prying Wallstedt away from the Wild might be slim, but they are not impossible. If Zito can pull it off, they would be building for the future in net and keeping their window open for a shot at another Stanley Cup now.
