NHL Trade Rumours: Senators quietly targeting for blockbuster move involving Calder Trophy contender

Jesper Wallstedt enters the Olympic spotlight with more than just Sweden’s crease in question. As trade whispers link the 23-year-old to the Ottawa Senators, his role in Milan now tells more than the surface stories. Sweden has yet to name a starting goalie for its opener against Italy, and that silence has only fueled curiosity. For Wallstedt, the timing feels significant. A strong rookie season already turned heads. Now the Olympics could amplify everything.Sweden coach Sam Hallam kept his cards close as the team prepared for a tight schedule. Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom, and Wallstedt all remain options. Hallam told reporters the decision would come once the roster becomes official later in the day. He offered little else, saying, “We have a plan,” while cautioning that anything during a game could shift that plan. It was measured, careful, and very deliberate.Jesper Wallstedt’s rise in Minnesota explains the attention. He finished his rookie campaign with a 14-5-4 record, a 2.72 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage. He added four shutouts and showed a calm, positional style that rarely looks rushed. Coaches value that steadiness. Opponents notice it too. His name surfaced in early Calder Trophy chatter, and league executives have tracked his progress since.Ottawa’s interest makes sense when you study the numbers. The Senators entered the Olympic break at 28-22-7, hovering near a playoff spot but far from secure. They score 3.30 goals per game yet allow 3.23. The penalty kill remains near the bottom of the league. That imbalance has placed a heavy burden on their goaltending.NHL insiders Chris Johnston and James Mirtle addressed the issue directly in The Athletic, writing, “The Senators would almost certainly be holding down a playoff spot right now if they’d received better goaltending this season.” They believe Wallstedt could ease that pressure while backing up Linus Ullmark. As they put it, “In effect, the Senators would essentially be fortifying the organization’s present and future at the position by adding the young Swede.”The challenge lies in cost. Ottawa does not own its 2026 first-round pick, which complicates any draft-centered offer. Still, roster pieces could form a workable package. Wallstedt’s contract, running through 2026-27 at a $2.2 million cap hit, adds to his appeal. It is manageable. It is flexible.If he earns ice time in Milan, his value may climb further. For now, Sweden weighs its options. So does Ottawa.