Minnesota Wild Can Be Patient With Kaprizov Extension – The Hockey Writers – Minnesota Wild

After a pretty quiet offseason with just some minor signings and bringing on Vladimir Tarasenko, the Minnesota Wild made some pretty big news on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with a Kirill Kaprizov contract offer. However, that wasn’t the biggest piece of news; it was Kaprizov’s supposed rejection of the contract that made the biggest waves. 

According to Sportsnet, Kaprizov turned down an eight-year deal worth $128 million, which means he would’ve been making an NHL record-setting, $16 million a season. However, it’s unclear if this is true because Wild general manager Bill Guerin claimed later it was not. If it is true, of course, it came as a shock to many, but to others it wasn’t. In this article, we’ll explore why this isn’t a cause for concern if it is true, starting with this isn’t the first time Kaprizov has waited. 

Kaprizov’s Waited It Out Before

Many may not remember, but this has happened before with Kaprizov and his last contract. When he signed his first big contract, they didn’t agree to terms until a couple of days before training camp that season. He still has this season under contract with the Wild, so while it would be great to get an extension signed soon, the heat isn’t on just yet. It was known this could happen, and it was known this deal would take some time. 

If this wasn’t the first offer reported and was after the season had already gotten underway, then it would be time to be worried a bit. Right now, it’s not necessarily concerning, but the longer it plays out, it will start to become concerning. What’s good about this is the two sides are talking and figuring things out, the Wild are still very committed to signing him according to a post by Michael Russo of The Athletic which is what they’ve said all offseason. 

The Wild’s general manager, Bill Guerin, has said multiple times in the past that, as a former player himself, he understands players trying to hold out mainly for arbitration. But he understands and doesn’t blame them for trying to ask for more money, especially since it’s something he’s done in the past. That’s what gives Guerin a slight advantage, too; he knows what it’s like to be a player and see things from their point…