Minnesota Wild GM Urges Calm After Kaprizov Rejects Extension
General Manager Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild is calling for calm among fans after news broke that star winger Kirill Kaprizov reportedly declined a lucrative contract extension offer. The Wild had proposed an eight-year deal worth $128 million, which would have set a new NHL record for average annual value (AAV) at $16 million.
Kaprizov, currently playing under a five-year contract valued at $45 million, is in the final year of his deal, which includes a no-movement clause. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The rejected offer would have surpassed the previous record held by Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and the $124 million contract signed by Alex Ovechkin in 2008. According to NHL reporter Frank Seravalli, the news of the declined contract surfaced following a meeting between Kaprizov and the Wild’s management on Tuesday.
Speaking on the “10,000 Takes” podcast, Guerin emphasized the importance of not inciting panic among the Wild’s fan base. “I don’t want our market to go into an all-out panic mode here,” he stated. “The most important thing to me is Kirill and not getting him put in a bad spot. We love him. He’s a wonderful guy. He’s an unbelievable player. And we want him.”
The general manager expressed uncertainty regarding how the details of the contract negotiations became public. “I know two things. That info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent,” he added. Guerin maintains a strong relationship with Kaprizov’s agent, Paul Theofanous, and reassured fans that discussions would continue.
Since joining the NHL in 2020, Kaprizov has established himself as a key player for the Wild, recording 386 points in 319 career games. He has achieved the milestone of scoring over 40 goals in three of his five seasons, including a notable tally of 25 goals in just 41 games last season, which was impacted by injuries.
The report of Kaprizov’s decision to decline the extension sent shockwaves through the hockey community, particularly among fans of the Wild, who are concerned about the future of their star player. Guerin reassured listeners that he believes the situation remains positive and that ongoing talks will continue to address Kaprizov’s future with the franchise.
As the Minnesota Wild navigate this critical period, the focus remains on maintaining a strong relationship with their star player while ensuring fans are kept informed and reassured about the team’s direction.
