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MN Wild Teasing Massive Contract News on Local Sidewalks…?
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- MN Wild Teasing Massive Contract News on Local Sidewalks…?
Nick Wosika-Imagn Images Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
With the gaudy contact buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise finally off the books, this was supposed to be a very big offseason for the Minnesota Wild . Instead, it's been one of the quieter summers in recent Wild memory.
As the NHL waits for its new TV deal to kick in, player movement has been down, leaving Minnesota Wild president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin, with fewer options to add talent, especially through free agency.
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Thus, Guerin has vowed to sit on his new cap space, until the market picks back up, even if that means the 2025-26 trade deadline, or even next offseason. But after another first round exit and years of promises based around the post Suter/Parise buyout penalty era, the Wild are under pressure to win now, and not just in the regular season.
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Kirill Kaprizov , Minnesota Wild extension remains at overseas impasse…
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
And as we have come to find out the past few seasons, it's difficult to win hockey games in the NHL when your roster is worth $10-$15 million less than most of your competitors. No. 1 on Billy G's to-do list is extending the contract of Kirill Kaprizov… which hasn't proven that easy of a task.
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As of Tuesday, Kirill and the Wild appear at some sort of impasse, as the two sides wait for the 27-year-old lefty phenom to return to the states, before resuming negotiations. While a deal is still expected, Michael Russo (The Athletic) reports that nothing is guaranteed, at this point.
The last time the Wild were in a contract dispute with Kaprizov was on the eve of training camp in 2021. Guerin flew to Miami to sit down face-to-face with Kaprizov and his agent, Paul Theofanous. They ironed out his five-year, $45 million contract, and Guerin and Kaprizov returned to the Twin Cities on a private jet in time for camp.
Now, if Guerin sits down with Kaprizov and Theofanous again as camp gets close and gets the impression that Kaprizov isn't willing to sign now, it may be incumbent on the GM to inquire on teams Kaprizov would be willing to be traded to.
Even if Bill Guerin sits on the rest of Minnesota's cap space, inking Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term extension would make this offseason a dazzling success. It won't be cheap, of course. In fact, Kirill's new deal is expected to break records, something that owner Craig Leipold seems unconcerned with.
MN Wild teasing Kaprizov contract on Minneapolis sidewalk…?
But could the Minnesota Wild be trying to calm concerns and hint at good news on the horizon, when it comes to their Russian superstar? Well, it's difficult to argue otherwise when you see what the team has been painting on the sidewalks of Minneapolis…
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The link takes you to a ticket landing page with the phrase "Be Forever Wild." It's a membership plan that could be likened to the Minnesota Twins " MyTwins Members " rollout this season. What's different about the paint on this sidewalk is quite obvious – "HERE TO STAY" with Kirill Kaprizov's signature right above.
So it's this an omen or what @mnwild ? #mnwild pic.twitter.com/gup6E5m54s
— Justin Bakke (@deast2004) July 28, 2025
"Being a 4Ever Wild Member means more than just having a seat—it's about unmatched access, exclusive benefits, and a deeper connection to the team you love. From exclusive player access and playoff ticket access to special events and year-round rewards, membership unlocks an experience built just for you. Plus, a dedicated service representative ensuring every detail is covered, so you can focus on what matters—celebrating every moment. Don't just be a fan—Be Forever Wild."
It is not known who painted this at the crossroads of Lyndale and Franklin. From what we have been able to dig up on the situation, it is possible that the MN Wild have plans to use a what the team hopes will be a Kaprizov extension, to play into their new Be Here Forever marketing campaign.
Whether or not the organization is directing employees to paint on city sidewalks, or if this is a rogue employee who got ahold of a stensil we were not supposed to see yet… is unknown. For now, the Minnesota Wild have yet to find common ground with Kaprizov, along with his top-6 teammate, Marco Rossi .
Only time will tell Kirill Kaprizov's future
It seems curious that the Wild would soft launch a season ticket promotion, use the tag line "Here to Stay," and include Kaprizov's signature if they weren't all connected.
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Fans have been looking for a reason to get excited about the upcoming season since the final puck drop of 2024-25. Kaprizov was always going to be back this year, but securing his future is something that could galvanize the fanbase.
Related: Minnesota Wild a Top Dark Horse Cup Candidate?
They brought back Stanley Cup-winning Nico Sturm and landed Vladimir Tarasenko o n a flyer , in the hopes he will turn back into the deadly goal-scoring weapon of yesteryear. That's not enough to dub this offseason a success
The State of Hockey remains without a cup, and there may be no franchise more desperate to get the job done across the NHL than Minnesota. If Kaprizov is in for good, it certainly doesn't hurt their future chances.
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