What would the most logistical trade for Filip Gustavsson look like for the Red Wings?

The Detroit Red Wings must make something happen if they want a complete team in the 2024-25 season. Right now, earning a trip to the 2025 playoffs would be preferred, but general manager Steve Yzerman will ask a lot out of his team if he doesn’t address the goaltending. 

While it would be great to find a suitor for Ville Husso and to refrain from signing any NHL-caliber goaltender in the current free agent market thanks to how poor the class is this season, it would be epic if he brought in a young netminder with high potential, and it’s something Filip Gustavsson brings.

So what must the Red Wings do if they’re looking to make a big trade with a team that is really in the same position as them? Here is the most logical hypothetical trade that would benefit Detroit and the Minnesota Wild. 

What would the Wild want in a trade for Filip Gustavsson?

The Wild didn’t finish too far behind the Red Wings in the league standings, notching 87 points. But they looked like a team at a crossroads before re-signing Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s becoming clear that despite his advanced age, Fleury will be the No. 1 goaltender in St. Paul, and one general manager Billy Guerin wants to build a winner around. 

This will make a 1A-caliber goaltender like Gustavsson expendable to a netminder-needy team, preferably one with assets that will make the Wild better as both organizations look to benefit and seek the playoffs. The Wild will need forwards to help improve their lackluster scoring, but ironically, this isn’t the trade that will give them anything or anyone guaranteed. 

They will, however, need a 1B goaltender and another defenseman to replace Gustavsson and Alex Goligoski, whose career may be finished. Meanwhile, the Red Wings also need upgrades to their blue line, and this trade wouldn’t give them anything immediate, so instead, we’re looking at minor assets besides Gustavsson.