It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the start of the Christmas season, but teams are already thinking about to fulfilling some of their wishes for a later date. Some big-time extensions have already been signed. However, there are a number of deals that can be inked on July 1, 2025. One team that needs to sign a superstar player to an extension is the Minnesota Wild. This edition of NHL rumours focuses on Minnesota trying to make that deal happen.
All NHL rumours to come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Superstar Extension a Main Focus for Minnesota Wild
Rumour: NHL.com’s Nick Costonika talked to Wild owner Criag Leipold about an extension for superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota’s owner said that nailing down an extension is a “top priority” for the franchise.
Analysis: Kaprizov has been off to a red-hot start to the season. He’s the team’s leader in goals (18), assists (25) and points (43) this season. These numbers are good enough for second in the NHL. The Russian has been one of the main reason’s that the wild have been a pleasant surprise this season.
Kaprizov’s deal runs out after the 2025-26 season, but he can sign an extension of July 1, 2025 because he’s entering the last year of his deal. The 27-year-old currently makes $9 million for this season and next, but is likely going to get himself a massive raise.
Minnesota is going get a massive salary cap boost when the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter get greatly reduced. The Wild have nearly $14.8 million of dead money that’s been weighing down general manager Bill Guerin. However, those buyouts will only cost a combined total of over $1.6 million after July 1. The buyouts will last through 2029.
The Wild’s Cap Situation
Some of that free cap space is going to defenceman Brock Faber, who will be getting a deal of $8.5 million starting next year. That’s a big raise from his current $925,000 that he’s getting.
Faber’s raise is a big jump, but there’s still plenty of money to go around for their players. There’s also uncertainty about how much the salary cap could go up by the time Kaprizov’s contract comes up. There have been different numbers that have come up for the 2025-26 salary cap. However, that number is going up by a decent amount.
Guerin could have plenty of wiggle room to give his superstar forward that massive payday he deserves. Players like Leon Draisaitl are getting $14 million and Kaprizov could get something along those lines.
What It Means
Leipold said that the Wild “got to figure out exactly what the cap’s going to be. It’s an important part of our strategic plan to get him signed for as long as we can.”
It seems that team wants Kaprizov to be its star player for a long time. Making sure Kaprizov doesn’t hit the open market will be critical for the team. There would be plenty of suitors for the dynamic forward if a new agreement isn’t reached.
However, it won’t be for a lack of effort. Leipold knows that players like Kaprizov don’t come around very often and they will make sure a deal is reached sooner rather than later.
Main photo by: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
