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Jesper Wallstedt directly responds to Oilers passing on him in NHL Draft after shutout win
Minnesota Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt shut out the Edmonton Oilers last night in a 1-0 win, and was asked about the Oilers passing on him in the 2021 NHL draft afterward.
As the Oilers goaltending is once again massively struggling this season, it was difficult to see the young Wild goalie pitch a perfect game. It may be something the Oilers have to see for a very long time, but he could've been in an Edmonton jersey.
Jesper Wallstedt responds to Oilers passing on him in 2021 NHL draft
After the game Wallstedt was directly asked about the controversy in Edmonton over the draft choice, but he shut it down quickly and reaffirmed his happiness to be in Minnesota.
REPORTER: Edmonton had a chance to draft you, traded the pick to Minnesota. Is there some extra motivation when you face the team?
WALLSTEDT: No. I've seen and I've heard, and it's been way too much about this. I'm drafted by Minnesota, I play here, I love it here. That's kind of the end of the conversation.
WALLSTEDT: No. I've seen and I've heard, and it's been way too much about this. I'm drafted by Minnesota, I play here, I love it here. That's kind of the end of the conversation.
The Oilers traded the pick to select Wallstedt to Minnesota in exchange for two later picks, to selected Xavier Bourgault and Luca Munzenberger.
Those two players are no longer in the Oilers organization, or look on track to even play in the NHL. Needless to say, this trade kills to look at in 2025.
Tonight's loss wasn't nearly on Stuart Skinner, who turned in his second straight quality start for Edmonton - but he rarely looks like the world-beater Wallstedt has been this season.
This will be a trade that haunts the Oilers for a long time by the looks of Wallstedt's career trajectory.
Even after two good games from Skinner, the Oilers still desperately need to upgrade their goaltending this season - even if it's just a significant upgrade on Pickard.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 528 ANSWERS Jesper Wallstedt directly responds to Oilers passing on him in NHL Draft after shutout win Did you think the Oilers should've drafted Wallstedt in 2021? | ||
| Yes | 465 | 88.1 % |
| No | 63 | 11.9 % |
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