Minnesota Wild Rumors: Filip Gustavsson remains prime trade candidate

The Minnesota Wild are in a tough position as general manager Bill Guerin doesn't have a ton of cap space to work with and is trying to upgrade his roster. Guerin sits with just $1.1 million in cap space and has over $14 million in dead cap space thanks to the buy outs of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.

As day two begins of free agency, Minnesota has not done much besides some minor tinkering and adding Yakov Trenin for four years at $14 million total. Insert goaltender Filip Gustavsson. The Swedish netminder is a prime trade candidate and has been discussed throughout the summer in trade talks. Minnesota has top prospect Jesper Wallstedt who could be ready for backup duties next season and they have Marc-Andre Fleury returning. With the depth in place, Gustavsson and his $3.75 million cap hit this season and next could be out the door to help Guerin upgrade his blue line and/or top-nine forwards.

Gustavsson does not hold any trade protection and can be moved at will. Last season he appeared in 45 games, going 20-17-5 with a 3.06 GAA and .899 Sv.%. The season prior he was among the league leaders posting a .931 Sv.%. At 26 years old, there's a ton of upside to his game and Guerin could fetch himself a significant return on the trade market.

There's already been a ton of goaltending movement this summer so it's going to be tough to find a suitor. Guerin has the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Utah HC as potential trade partners.