Minnesota Wild Recall Defenseman Matt Kiersted; Place Goaltender Filip Gustavsson On The Long-Term Injury Reserve

The Minnesota Wild have made another roster move this Friday, recalling defenseman Matt Kiersted from the Iowa Wild and placing goaltender Filip Gustavsson on the long-term injury reserve.

Kiersted is a six-foot, 182-pound left-handed defenseman. Signed in the 2025 off-season, Kiersted played six NHL games with the Wild last year, recording one assist while averaging 15:44 of ice time.

He spent most of the season in the AHL, posting four goals and 12 points in 49 games. This season, Kiersted has played two AHL games but has yet to record a point. 

The 28-year-old has 45 games of NHL experience under his belt. 39 of those games came with the Florida Panthers between 2020 and 2025. If Kiersted dresses on Saturday, he'll have the chance to take on his former team. 

Olli Maatta went down with an injury before Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and was replaced by 23-year-old David Spacek. Spacek played 8:23 and recorded one shot on goal.

For now, Kiersted is projected to serve as the seventh defenseman until Brock Faber or Maatta returns.

As for Gustavsson, he's been recovering from off-season surgery and still appears to be a ways out from returning. The 28-year-old played 50 games for the Wild last season, posting a .904 save percentage and 28 wins.

Jesper Wallstedt has served as the Wild's No. 1 netminder in Gustavsson's absence and has started all four games so far this season. Wallstedt has recorded two wins, a .927 save percentage, and a 1.98 goals-against average. 

Gustavsson's return date remains unknown, and this LTIR status doesn't suggest his return is imminent. 

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