2. It’s safe to climb aboard the Gus Bus again. It seemed as if goalie Filip Gustavsson was destined to be traded during the offseason. And he might have been dealt if Patrick Laine hadn’t placed the Wild on his no trade list.
Laine wound up with Montreal. Gustavsson, just 26 years old, wound up back with the Wild, and is thriving.
After posting a 3.06 goals against average and .899 save percentage last season, Gustavsson has opened the season with a 2.17 GAA and .922 save percentage while starting six of nine games. If Gustavsson keeps this up, this will be the biggest development this season.
Laine, by the way, is out because of a knee injury and hasn’t played a game for Montreal.
3. Where is this coming from, Jake Middleton? Middleton has size, is strong and gives the Wild the physical identity they need. No one is asking him to be Cale Makar. I think…
But Middleton has seven points through nine games, including five assists. He’s setting the stage for doubling his offensive output by midseason. On Oct. 22 at Florida, Middleton notched three assists, his first multi-point game since Jan. 18, 2023. He also blocked three shots in that game, as he made an impact on both ends of the ice.
