On Thursday, the Minnesota Wild opened their 2025 training camp at TRIA Rink, their state of the art practice facility, located on the fifth floor of the Treasure Island Center in St. Paul. Kirill Kaprizov was present, and spoke with media, as did president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin.
The Wild’s 28-year-old superstar deflected all contract questions to his agent. He did note that he “likes Minny” and sees it as his “second home”, but repeated multiple times that he “just wants to play hockey”.
Bill Guerin speaks publicly on Kirill Kaprizov contract negotiations
As for Guerin, he took to the microphone looking like he’s been up for a week straight, losing hair over the idea of losing Kirill Kaprizov. Worse yet, he sounded just as desperate as he looked.
Bill Guerin looks even more desperate than he sounds, and that’s saying something. After watching his interview yesterday, I’m convinced he hasn’t slept since Kaprizov rejected the $128M offer…
“Listen — there’s — I’m not gonna — these negotiations are private. I can’t… pic.twitter.com/ephlKN9pBJ
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) September 19, 2025
“Listen — there’s — I’m not gonna — these negotiations are private. I can’t really get into it. Things are fine. The most important thing is that we want to sign Kirill [Kaprizov]. He’s our franchise player, we want to keep him here, he’s a big part of our team. We’re working towards that, we’re doing the best we can and hopefully we’ll get there sooner than later.”
Bill Guerin – Minnesota Wild GM
Fans and reporters alike came away from Guerin and Kaprizov’s separate media sessions Thursday downright petrified. I mean, how can you not, especially after watching the Minnesota’s disheveled PoHO speak publicly?
Bill Guerin has gone from extreme spring confidence that a deal would get done sooner than later — to preaching summer patience when it did not — to what is now clear exasperation at the idea that camp is starting and there’s still no contract extension.
The Minnesota Wild are entering one of the most important seasons in franchise history, and if it weren’t for his teammates’ extreme confidence that a deal will get done, I would be pretty convinced that it’s going to be Kaprizov’s last.
Paul Theofanous makes surprise showing at MN Wild training camp
Thankfully for both Billy and MN Wild fans, there was one EXTREMELY positive development yesterday, which has seemingly gotten lost in the shuffle of yesterday’s busy NHL news day.
On Thursday, Kirill Kaprizov’s agent Paul Theofanous showed up to TRIA Rink in St. Paul, unannounced, a move that took Guerin and the Minnesota Wild by surprise, according to Michael Russo (The Athletic).
Then, with reporters easily able to watch on from a distance, Theofanous sat in the Tria Rink stands for TWO HOURS chatting with Wild chief contract negotiator and assistant GM, Mat Sells.
The Wild hadn’t spoken to Theofanous since last Tuesday, but the veteran agent surprised the team by showing up unannounced at practice on Thursday. Theofanous and assistant GM Mat Sells, the chief contract negotiator for the Wild, met in the stands for nearly two hours during parts of two practices and the entirety of a scrimmage.
The Wild’s hope for the past 10 days has been that at some point, Kaprizov would instruct Theofanous to get a deal done. Perhaps this was the start.
More than NHL Playoffs and franchise records on the line…
Yes, the Wild are trying to advance beyond the first round of the NHL Playoffs for the first time in ten seasons. But now, they may also have to prove to Kirill Kaprizov that they have what it takes to be a Stanley Cup contender, over the next handful of years, should he choose to sit on these negotiations into the regular season.
Kaprizov has scored 185 goals and totaled 386 points during his NHL career, including 25 goals and 56 points in 2025, even though he played in just 41 games. If the 28-year-old can stay healthy in 2025-26, he will likely pot the 34 goals he needs to surpass Marion Gaborik for most all-time in a Wild sweater (219).
But if not, then will he get a chance to do so in 2026-27? That question has yet to be answered. But one thing is clear, the Minnesota Wild are willing to do whatever it takes, so this decision is 100% on the Russian superstar.
“I just want to play hockey”
🗣️ Kirill Kaprizov on liking Minnesota#mnwild pic.twitter.com/o85Vhnpfcu
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 18, 2025
“You guys know I like Minny. Everyone know this. We have a lot of time, it’s just 2025. It’s one more year, I have. I just want to play hockey and focus on winning some games and going to the playoffs and winning there.”
Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild forward
For the mental health of both his president of hockey operations and the Wild fanbase, of which both are really starting to show the physical and mental toll that these negotiations are having on them, let’s hope that his agent’s surprise meeting with Mat Sells Friday is the beginning to an end of this drama.
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