In the last week, the Minnesota Wild have been at the forefront of NHL news, primarily due to the blockbuster contract extension signed by superstar Kirill Kaprizov. The talented winger finalized an astonishing eight-year deal worth $136 million, making it the richest contract in NHL history. This monumental signing follows a period of speculation and negotiation, where Kaprizov initially turned down an offer of $128 million. The Wild's management, led by General Manager Bill Guerin, expressed that locking in their star player is a crucial step toward building a competitive roster aimed at postseason success.
While the team celebrates this significant achievement, they are also grappling with an injury setback. Veteran forward Mats Zuccarello will be sidelined for a minimum of seven to eight weeks due to a lower-body injury. This news comes as a blow, given Zuccarello’s role as a key playmaker and Kaprizov's power play partner. The Wild will need to adapt quickly as they prepare for the upcoming season, which kicks off on October 7.
In addition to these headline-grabbing stories, the Wild are also focused on their training camp. The roster has been trimmed to 31 players as they seek to finalize their lineup. Notable players still vying for positions include Marco Rossi, Matt Boldy, and rookie defenseman Zeev Buium, who has shown promise during the preseason.
As the Wild gear up for their 25th anniversary season, they aim to not only entertain fans with a new jersey design and special theme nights but also to finally break through the first-round barrier in the playoffs, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2015. With Kaprizov leading the charge and a roster filled with potential, the Wild are hoping to turn their aspirations into reality this season.