As the Minnesota Wild gear up for the upcoming NHL season, all eyes are on two of their top prospects: Liam Ohgren and Jesper Wallstedt. Recent reports from Michael Russo of The Athletic indicate that both players are expected to secure spots on the Wild's opening night roster, a testament to their impressive performances throughout training camp.

The Wild's management appears to be making a bold move by introducing Wallstedt—arguably the best goalie prospect in the league—into a competitive three-man rotation alongside seasoned veterans Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson. In the preseason, all three goaltenders showcased their skills, with Wallstedt impressively leading the group with a .930 save percentage, slightly ahead of Fleury's .925 and Gustavsson's .898. Given last season's struggles, where both Fleury and Gustavsson posted save percentages below the .900 threshold, Wallstedt could be the spark the Wild need to improve their fortunes.

Wallstedt's track record as an AHL starter is noteworthy, having accumulated 40 wins and a .909 save percentage over 83 appearances in his last two seasons. His strong performance at the AHL level lays a solid foundation for what fans hope will be an exciting debut in the NHL.

On the offensive side, Liam Ohgren is expected to carve out a role on the team's third-line, having shown great promise in five preseason games. He recorded one goal and one assist, matching the output he achieved in his initial four NHL games at the end of the previous season. Despite a brief setback due to an upper-body injury, Ohgren rebounded robustly, racking up 19 points in 27 games while playing in Sweden's SHL—the highest-scoring pace for any U20 athlete in the league. Wild general manager Bill Guerin has lauded Ohgren's versatility, suggesting that he could thrive and move up the lineup as the season progresses.

With last season's disappointing statistics, where the Wild ranked in the bottom 15 for both goals scored and goals allowed, the integration of Ohgren and Wallstedt could prove pivotal. Fans are anxious to see how these young talents will contribute, with Ohgren aiming for consistency and Wallstedt looking to establish himself as a key player above the established NHL starters.

As anticipation builds, keep a close watch on these two rising stars, who could be instrumental in turning the Wild's fortunes around in this new season. Will they be the game-changing forces Minnesota desperately needs? Only time will tell!