Filp Gustavsson - Is He A Buy Low or Buy High?

[SergeP]

Title is pretty self-explanatory. I'm debating making a play for him in one of my leagues. I know goalies are very tough to predict but how likely is it that this guy becomes a bonafide number 1 goalie at the NHL level? Does he have the talent to be a top 15-20 goalie?

[tweetdrivr]

He’s a very good prospect. Per the established pattern he should become fantasy relevant at age 25. He’s 24 now. Fleury is signed through next year at a price that doesn’t guarantee he’s the starter. I think there’s every chance Gustavson can be a no 1. When that happens and how good he’ll be…that’s the trick. And how good Minny will be is up in the air. They’ve been bad defensively a lot this year. So acquiring him really will depend on how the guy that has him sees him.

[RizzeeDizzee]

His problem is he looks to be a stopgap in that Fleury will still have the crease for another season, and looming is Wallstedt. Plus, the Wild have only two more years before their cap issues go away, after which they could break the bank for a goalie. Do I think he could work out and be an impactful starter for Minnesota? It's possible; but I'm not betting on it. Of course if he isn't the answer then he might be somewhere else, although by then that's be two teams who'd "given up" on him by his mid 20s, which is not a good confidence builder.

[stevegamer]

I'm a believer. He's better than Fleury right now, and Fleury is a stopgap himself, admittedly one with a big name & contract. Honestly, Fleury has rarely been a great NHL goalie, but you won't find many who think that. He's normally average to a bit above average with some really good and even great years here and there, but he's played a long time.

[Axeman33]

His problem is he looks to be a stopgap in that Fleury will still have the crease for another season, and looming is Wallstedt. Plus, the Wild have only two more years before their cap issues go away, after which they could break the bank for a goalie. Do I think he could work out and be an impactful starter for Minnesota? It's possible; but I'm not betting on it. Of course if he isn't the answer then he might be somewhere else, although by then that's be two teams who'd "given up" on him by his mid 20s, which is not a good confidence builder.

I dont disagree that Wallstedt is the future but he's still a few years out. They won't rush him and from what I understand and read, he hasn't been all that good in the AHL so far. I don't watch AHL games so I can't speak on his game from first hand experience.

I think Minny acquired him in the Talbot deal because they believe his game projects well. He definitely has starter potential and I see him getting traded more about Minny wanting him than Ottawa giving up on him. Both teams had different agendas in that trade. Minny looking for cap space and upside where as Ottawa was looking for a more bona-fide starter in Talbot.

To the OPs question, I'd say he's still a bit of a buy low mainly because of the Fleury situation in front of him but he's someone worth trying to acquire if the price isn't crazy. Don't expect him to steal the crease from MAF this year but I'd expect a closer start count as early as next year but if he continues to play well, it could happen sooner.