Wild Owner Leipold Expresses Patience, Confidence in GM Over Kaprizov Contract Talks

The Minnesota Wild have yet to secure a long-term contract extension with star forward Kirill Kaprizov, whose current deal expires after this season. Owner Craig Leipold has expressed confidence in general manager Bill Guerin to handle the negotiations, emphasizing patience and a strong working relationship with Guerin. Leipold refrained from discussing specifics, noting that while Kaprizov is a special player, the team is focused on broader goals beyond any single player. Kaprizov himself has stated that he views Minnesota as his "second home" and remains focused on playing and winning in the upcoming season. Despite previous reports of an eight-year, $128 million offer being turned down by Kaprizov, no new deal has been reached, partly complicated by the rising salary cap and other financial considerations. The situation remains unresolved as the regular season approaches, with both sides maintaining limited public communication about the status of negotiations.