The Minnesota Wild traded up two spots to select goaltender Jesper Wallstedt with the 20th-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The Wild acquired the 20th pick from the Edmonton Oilers for pick No. 22 and No. 90.
Wallstedt is the second goaltender taken in the draft this year after the Red Wings traded up to select Sebastian Cossa at No. 15. This is the first time since 2012 that two goaltenders have been selected in the first round of an NHL Draft.
A goalie for Lulea of the SHL, Wallstedt had a 12-10-0 record, 2.23 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and two shutouts this past season.
“He’s assertive the way he carries himself, the way he challenges, the way he moves to the point where he can be intimidating to shooters,” Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, told Sportsnet’s Mike Shulman back in November. “And he likes to keep the door closed — he’s a competitor. But he has all the athletic tools, the goaltending skills. This kid is the complete package right now. He’s very, very impressive.”
