The Minnesota Wild’s front office is putting on a brave face, but the lack of a new contract for superstar Kirill Kaprizov is setting off alarm bells across the State of Hockey. While GM Bill Guerin preaches patience, the clock is ticking towards a scenario that could see Kaprizov walk away for nothing next summer.
The Wild are reportedly ready to offer a massive eight-year, $120 million contract, but the real issue isn’t money; it’s ambition. Kaprizov wants to win, and he needs to be convinced that Minnesota is the place to do it. With the salary cap set to skyrocket, Kaprizov could command an even bigger salary on the open market. The “Kirill Kaprizov rumors” are swirling, and the longer this negotiation drags on, the more likely it becomes that another team will swoop in and steal the Wild’s franchise player.
Is a Record-Breaking Deal on the Horizon?
The Wild have made it clear they are willing to back up the Brinks truck for their superstar. An eight-year deal in the neighborhood of $15 million AAV is not just a rumor; it’s a necessity to keep a player of Kaprizov’s caliber. However, the real story here is the salary cap explosion expected next summer. With the cap projected to jump to $104 million, Kaprizov’s camp knows that waiting could mean a payday closer to the $18-$20 million range. This is where the “personal desire to stay” will be truly tested.
The Waiting Game: A High-Stakes Gamble
General Manager Bill Guerin is banking on his face-to-face meeting with Kaprizov in August to seal the deal. This is a high-stakes move. If Kaprizov isn’t convinced that the Wild are committed to building a perennial contender, he could opt for free agency next summer.
Wild fans have seen this movie before, and they know it doesn’t have a happy ending. The longer this drags on, the more leverage Kaprizov has. The “Kirill Kaprizov rumors” will only intensify as training camp approaches, and you can be sure that every other GM in the league is watching this situation with keen interest.
Your Home for the Latest Wild News
For the most up-to-date Minnesota Wild news and analysis, be sure to bookmark nhltraderumor.com. Join our Online Hockey Pool for a chance to win cash prizes, and never miss a moment of the action with our guide on how to watch the Wild game on TV today. Sign up for our newsletter below to get all the latest NHL trade rumors delivered directly to your inbox.
The post Will Kirill Kaprizov Re-Sign with the Wild or Test Free Agency? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
