There are a few teams that will need a goaltender this offseason. Either because there are questions in net, contracts are expiring or the team’s are looking to change things up, there are plenty of reasons some franchises may begin the 2020-21 campaign with a new face between the pipes.
One of those teams is likely to be the Minnesota Wild.
General manager Bill Guerin noted at his end-of-season conference, that the team had a number of problems. Perhaps the biggest was that their goaltending was not good.
The Wild will be looking for a No. 1 centre and more skill up front — and may trade a defencemen to fill those needs — but the suggestion was that the Wild also need goalies. And this isn’t singular… this is potentially “goalies”, as in plural.
Guerin said, “I was disappointed in the goaltending this year.” He added, “Al (Stalock) had a tremendous year and Devan (Dubnyk) had an off-year, and it needs to be better. That’s just the way it is.” He didn’t sugarcoat it when he closed with, “And if I told you anything different I’d be lying to you. It was not a strong point for us.”
If you’re Stalock and Dubnyk, that’s not something you want to hear. Dubnyk is definitely hitting the tail end of his career and he’s been up and down throughout his time in the NHL. Stalock had arguably his best year as an NHL netminder but he’s a proven starter.
The Wild Have Three Choices
First, Guerin could keep what he has and hope things rebound. It doesn’t sound like that’s his plan. Second, he could move 23-year-old Kaapo Kahkonen up. The AHL goalie of the year might be ready to make the jump. Still, that’s a big “might be”.
Finally, the Wild could go the free agency route and pick up one of the many goaltenders who will be available this offseason. Among the names that might be available are Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, Cam Talbot, Thomas Greiss, Matt Murray, and Anton Khudobin.
Next: Frederik Andersen Could Get “JVR’d”, Or Is He Done in Toronto?
