It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the off-season, but there’s still plenty to discuss. The league is pretty much in a holding pattern until arbitration talks for restricted free agents start. One would think there’s not a lot going on. However, there’s plenty going on behind the scenes. Some big-time players can sign contract extensions after entering the final year of a deal.
One team that’s looking to extend one of their superstar players is the Minnesota Wild. This edition of NHL rumours offers an update on where those talks stand.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Latest Update on Extension Talks for Minnesota Wild Superstar
Rumour: Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic held a recent edition of their off-season mailbag. One of the topics was the ongoing extension talks between the club and Russian superstar Kirill Kaprizov.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647… Answering your Marco Rossi and Kirill Kaprizov questions: Ask Russo and Smith, part 1
— Michael Russo (@russohockey.bsky.social) 2025-07-08T12:42:32.110Z
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Analysis: Extension talks seem to be the main talk of this portion of the off-season. We discussed the start of negotiations between the Vegas Golden Knights and Jack Eichel in a previous edition of NHL rumours. There’s also the waiting game on a possible deal between the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid.
Some Wild fans were hoping Kaprizov would have signed his extension as soon as July 1 came. However, that’s not happened as of press time. There are a few Wild fans that are worried the longer it goes on. However, Russo and Smith are quick to reassure fans that there’s nothing to be alarmed about.. yet.
Let’s keep in mind that both Leon Draisaitl and Sidney Crosby signed their extensions in September of 2024. Minnesota fans were hoping Kaprizov would be different, but talks sometimes take a bit of time.
Russo and Smith did mention that Wild fans should get a bit more nervous if nothing is signed before the start of the season. However, ownership has made it clear that Karpizov has a big number waiting for him.
What It Means
Russo added that the Kaprizov extension is the top priority this off-season. This is despite other things weighing on the mind of Wild General Manager Bill Guerin. There’s plenty of uncertainty regarding the future of restricted free agent Marco Rossi.
The Austrian could be an offer sheet target and Guerin has to figure out on whether to sign him or trade him. An offer sheet of $7 million that goes unanswered would net Minnesota a first and third-round choice as compensation.
Some thought the Wild would be in the mix for key free agents like Nikolaj Ehlers and Mikael Granlund. However, Russo pointed out that Guerin didn’t want to overpay. The only exception may have been Minnesota native Brock Boeser, but he re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks.
Kaprizov is going into the last year of his deal that will see him get $9 million. There’s no doubt that he’ll join Draisaitl and Auston Matthews as one of the league’s top players. However, the waiting is the hardest part to quote an old Tom Petty song. Wild fans should follow this closely, but it’s no time to hit the panic button at this stage.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Latest on Extension Talks with Minnesota Wild Star appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.