Kirill Kaprizov, with renewed energy, appeared on the ice for the first day of training with the Minnesota Wild. His characteristic youthful smile was not long in coming. However, a new contract is what is still missing. After intense practice and an internal scrimmage at the team’s facilities on Thursday, Kaprizov met with reporters for the first time since the Wild were eliminated from the playoffs more than four months ago. He tried to assure everyone in the room and in Minnesota that he has no intention of leaving. He called the Twin Cities area his “second home,” after his native Russia.
Although the Wild have long expressed confidence in finalizing a deal, this did not happen during the summer. General Manager Bill Guerin did not seem concerned about the long-term presence of his 28-year-old left winger, who has been on track to become a superstar since his debut in the pandemic-altered 2020-21 season.I like Minny, and everyone knows it. We have a lot of time. It’s only 2025, and I have one more year left. I just want to play hockey and focus, win games and make the playoffs to win there.
Kirill Kaprizov
Unfortunately for Guerin and the Wild, a social media post last week by NHL reporter Frank Seravalli made the process decidedly more public, citing anonymous sources with the news that Kaprizov’s team had rejected an offer believed to be $128 million over eight years, which would be the highest total compensation and average annual value in league history. Kaprizov could be looking for a shorter deal with a higher average annual value to have the opportunity to win again. Kaprizov’s agent, Paul Theofanous, was at practice on Thursday, speaking extensively with assistant general manager Mat Sells. Neither Guerin nor Kaprizov approached the generalities of the negotiations, let alone the details, during their separate sessions with the media.These negotiations are private. I really can’t go into detail. Things are good. The most important thing is that we want to sign Kirill. He’s our franchise player. We want to keep him here. He’s a big part of our team. We’re working on it. We’re doing the best we can. We hope to get there sooner rather than later. But today is more about the team and starting off on the right foot.
Bill Guerin
Kaprizov isn’t the only high-profile NHL player who arrived at camp this week with an expiring contract. Connor McDavid, a five-time scoring champion, hasn’t signed a new deal with Edmonton. Jack Eichel hasn’t either with Vegas. All three would be free agents next summer if an extension isn’t reached before then. But that’s a long way off.Not everything written on social media is true. Not everything is false. But I can’t help what other people do, and it’s not important. What’s important is our relationship with our players, from Kirill down. And we can’t let things like that get in the way of our relationship, our negotiations, or business dealings.
Bill Guerin
Kaprizov spent most of the summer in Russia with his family and friends, mainly sticking to the same offseason training routine. After missing 40 games during the 2024-25 season due to an unspecified lower-body injury that ultimately required surgery, Kaprizov said he has been “a little more focused” on his conditioning in light of the frustratingly long absence. If you can wait that long to get back on the ice, you can surely be patient with the status of your contract.Why wouldn’t we be sure? It’s been a great relationship. We love the kid.
Bill Guerin
Just focus on hockey and camp right now. I just want to be practicing. We have a lot of time. I just want to practice and prepare for the season and focus on this right now.
Kirill Kaprizov
