The Minnesota Wild have announced that Jesper Wallstedt will start the final two pre-season games in preparation for the 2026-27 NHL regular season.
NHL regular-season action kicks off in one week, giving teams across the league little time to make final preparations and ramp up.
The Minnesota Wild are in that process now. Soon they'll have to make roster cuts and place players on waivers. At practice today, coach John Hynes worked on his penalty-killing unit.
Notably, Jesper Wallstedt will start the final two pre-season games before the regular season starts.
The Wild are scheduled to play four pre-season games and have already played two. Wallstedt was not dressed in either. The Wild have really only dressed a few NHL players through the first two games, but that is set to change by Wednesday.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, the Wild will dress a lineup similar to what we'll see in Game 1 of the NHL season on Wednesday when they travel to Dallas for the third pre-season game.
Wallstedt is entering interesting but critical territory as the season begins. In his rookie season, Wallstedt began as the backup and then formed a tandem with Filip Gustavsson. But Gustavsson will start the season on injured reserve, giving Wallstedt an extended run as the bona fide No. 1.
In last season's playoffs, Wallstedt took over the starting role, but expectations heading into the 2026-27 season were that they would form a tandem again. Wallstedt can prove numerous things with a strong start to the season.
If Wallstedt comes out of the gates playing well, he can secure the No. 1 job and make Gustavsson expendable in trades.
More importantly, the Wild can ill-afford to drop many points in the stacked Central Division. Home-ice advantage is critical in the playoffs, and with teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars proving to be consistent regular-season performers, the Wild will have their hands full.
Add that the Utah Mammoth, Winnipeg Jets, and St. Louis Blues all hope to return to the playoff race; the Wild will need every point they can muster.
It all starts with Wallstedt ramping up and getting into game shape with a pair of pre-season starts.
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