Wild: Owner Trusts GM on Kaprizov, Renewal in Play

Kirill Kaprizov and His Future with the Minnesota Wild: Renewal on the Horizon?

Uncertainty surrounds the contract situation of Kirill Kaprizov, star of the Minnesota Wild, who has not yet secured his future with the team beyond the current season. The owner, Craig Leipold, prefers to remain calm and trust general manager Bill Guerin and his team for the negotiations.

Billy is the one. He is the one who negotiates, no matter who it is, and that is his responsibility and his role. We have a great relationship.

Craig Leipold

The relationship between the NHL club and Kaprizov’s team is a mystery, as both parties avoid revealing details about whether a new agreement is feasible before the start of the regular season. Kaprizov, with 386 points in 319 regular season games and 21 points in 25 playoff games, expressed that Minnesota is his “second home” and enjoys playing for the Wild.

We have a lot of time. It’s only 2025, and I have one more year left. I just want to play hockey, focus, win games, and make the playoffs to win there.

Kirill Kaprizov

A complicating factor is the increase in the salary cap and the presence of other stars without a contract for next season. Leipold acknowledges that this changes the financial landscape, but the team must adapt. The owner spoke to the media during the first preseason home game at the Grand Casino Arena, a venue that has boosted economic and social activity in the city center since its opening. The Wild have initiated conversations about a renovation to compete with other NHL arenas. Regarding the team’s aspirations to get past the first round of the playoffs, Leipold is optimistic:

I believe in hard work and preparation. I like our team. I hope we have luck and don’t have injuries. I think this could be a really special year. I’ve thought about it before, but one of these years everything will come together in a good package, and hopefully it will be this one.

Craig Leipold