The Minnesota Wild will start NHL training camp on Thursday, ahead of the most important season in recent memory. Not only do the Wild enter 2025-26 having failed to make it beyond the first round of the playoffs for 10 straight seasons, but at least for now, they’ve failed to re-sign the best player in franchise history.
Kirill Kaprizov has scored 185 goals and totaled 386 points during his NHL career. If the 28-year-old plays a full season in 2025-26, he will have a good chance to surpass Marion Gaborik for the all-time franchise goals mark, of 219. Gaborik played 502 games in a MN Wild sweater, Kaprizov has played just 319.
Nothing about Kirill’s game is lacking. He has ELITE skating ability, incredible vision and stickhandling, responsible defense, plus a sniper-like shot that can find the back of the net from just about any angle on the ice. On top of all that, Kaprizov has plenty of dog in him.
Kirill Kaprizov might have the most underrated amount of dog in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/megCIQyX1q
— Big Head Hockey Clips (@bigheadclips) September 12, 2025
Talks between Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov stalled again
President of hockey operations Bill Guerin continues to preach patience, but fans are in borderline panic mode. Kirill Kaprizov was supposed to be locked down long-term, back in July. Guerin told us then that it was a long offseason.
Yet here we are, ready to start training camp in mid-September, and the 2020-21 Calder winner remains unsigned, beyond the 2025-26 season.
And it’s not for lack of trying, on the Wild’s end. Just last week, Kirill rejected the largest contract in league history last week, at 8 years, $128 million. According to The Athletic, the two sides have not had formal conversations since, and the Wild have been “given no direction” on how their superstar would like to proceed.
Nothing has changed since [Kaprizov turned down 8 years, $128 million], according to league sources… [and] The sides haven’t formally talked again since.
One thing is clear: The Wild have been given no direction. Kaprizov has given them no indication at this point that he wants a shorter-term deal or what the number will be to sign him to a long-term contract. The Wild are not inclined to negotiate against themselves, so it’s unclear if they’ll be making a new overture anytime soon.
But I am here to try and ease your worries, Wild fans. Because if you look in the right places, there appears to be a certain confidence brewing that a deal between our Minnesota Wild, and their superstar Kirill Kaprizov, may be closer than it seems.
Where can you hear the good word? That’s the best part. The Wild begin training camp today, but most of the players have been in town and working out during captains practice for days/weeks.
Since he returned from Russia last week, those unofficial player-run practices have included Kaprizov, who is set to meet with media for the first time on Thursday, as part of Minnesota Wild media day.
Kirill Kaprizov’s teammates extremely confident a deal will get done
However, Kirill’s teammates — including Marcus Foligno and Brock Faber — have spoken publicly in recent days, where they were asked by separate interviewers about their feelings regarding the ongoing Kaprizov negotiations.
The overwhelming narrative, from both interviews, is one of obvious confidence. In fact, you’d swear Kirill Kaprizov’s teammates know something we — and even Bill Guerin — do not.
“[Kirill is] a franchise player,. He’s so special, and those guys, you can’t let go, right? It’s going to take time. You look at a lot of the superstars in the league. It’s going to take time. (There are) things they have to go back and forth with. We’re positive that he’ll be around, knowing he’s just focused on the next game and how to win as a team this season.”
“He doesn’t need the lights or all that stuff. He’s Kirill, man. He’s low-maintenance. He’s excited to be here. He loves everything about Minnesota. He loves the guys, and we love him. I’m sure it’ll work out for everyone.”
Marcus Foligno – Quotes via The Athletic
PA: “You have seven years left on your deal. How many of those years do you think you’ll play with Kaprizov?”
Faber: “All seven of them.”
PA: I can hear the smile on your face…I know that you probably got peppered with that question, maybe in a different way…”
Faber: “Yeah, I think we’ll be alright.”
Nine to Noon with Paul Allen – KFAN Radio (9/17/25)
Minnesota Wild teammates seem to know something we don’t
There are a lot of ways that Kirill Kaprizov’s Minnesota Wild teammates could have answered these questions, without giving away the answers to the test, like they seemingly did.
We see it in pro sports all the time. ‘It’s just part of the business’ and ‘we love X player and we hope he returns’, etc. Instead, Marcus Foligno and Brock Faber took it upon themselves to suggest an imminent Kaprizov extension. Why is that notable?
Because those are they guys Kaprizov has hung out with and talked intimately with, since his return stateside last week. If anybody would know what’s going through the head of Minnesota’s superstar, it’s his teammates.
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