Observations:

December 2015- Though reporting to Frolunda was not an unreasonable decision at the beginning of the season, Johan Gustafsson's move overseas has yielded little progess in his development. After 11 starts he's managed an .886 save percentage and his 2.41 GAA. The move was suppose to be good in the way of restoring confidence after rough stints in Alaska and Iowa respectively but he's ended up leaving much to be desired. Edric Joseph

February 2015 – Having come along, albeit slowly, Johan Gustafsson continues showing glimpses of what could be but struggles to put it all together on a consistent basis. Has improved with his ability to read the play but still has lapses in judgment at times as he still adjusts to skater tendencies specific to the North American game. In the meantime, improvement has been shown with his ability to play the puck as a means to put his teammates in better spots heading the other way. Playing in the Minnesota system should work in his favour given how cautious and patient the Wild tend to be with the development of their prospects. Can make for an eventual goalie that would make a good 1B to handcuff, but in any event he will have to tap into that sizeable upside that convinced Minnesota to bring him over from the Swedish hockey ranks. Edric Joseph

April 2014 – Gustafsson was an early season call-up by the Wild, but has since been pushed aside by the play of Darcy Kuemper between the pipes. It seems that the Wild will lean heavily on Kuemper as well as recently acquired Ilya Bryzgalov going forward as they continue their stretch drive to secure a playoff spot. Gustafsson's rookie season with AHL Iowa has been stellar, posting a 12-17-2 record in 35 games with a 2.88 GAA and .908 save percentage. At just 22, he still needs more seasoning in the minors before he's ready for the NHL on a permanent basis and with all the question marks surrounding the Wild's goaltending future — the health of Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom, Bryzgalov's return next season — it's probably for the better. One thing is for certain, Gustafsson will have Kuemper to contend with for starts in the Wild's crease down the road. Jamie Zadow

October 2013 – Minnesota has recalled Johan Gustafsson from AHL Iowa. Gustafsson is 2-0-0 with a 1.99 GAA and .935 save percentage, along with one shutout in three games for Iowa so far this season. The 21-year-old played 33 games for Lulea HF in Sweden's Elite League last season, going 20-13-0 with a 1.70 GAA, a .929 save percentage along with four shutouts. Gustafsson is a solid technical goalkeeper and workhorse, with good size in the net. He is still young and will need some seasoning in the AHL before he's ready for the NHL on a permanent basis, but he reads the play very well for a young goaltender. He had a very solid season in 2012-2013 overseas in Sweden and so far this year he has impressed in the three games with AHL Iowa and has earned the call-up in the early part of the NHL season.

Fantasy Outlook: C-

Gustafsson still has some upside, but can’t keep getting upstaged by AHL veterans like John Curry if he wants to go places in the North American hockey scene.

Footage:

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