Kirill Kaprizov Injury Probably Helps MN Wild in Contract Talk
There have been two constants for the Minnesota Wild this season. One is that they are constantly injured. The other is that they constantly win on the road. The former relates to superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s latest situation.
After undergoing a successful lower body surgery, he is definitely going to miss some time. That puts quite a damper on what had been an incredible start to this point. Now though, it may change the mega-contract that the winger is in line for.
Kirill Kaprizov’s injury changes Minnesota Wild contract discussions
This is Kirill Kaprizov’s fifth season in the NHL. In four out of those five seasons, he has not reached the 80-game mark. With only one other occasion where he played 70 games or more. Such a pattern of availability is a critical factor the Minnesota Wild must take into account during contract negotiations, especially within the constraints of their cap environment. Michael Russo weighed in with his latest thoughts on the Kaprizov contract situation.
“Let’s say the Wild propose $120 million on an eight-year deal ($15 million a year) this summer. Is Kaprizov really going to turn down life-changing money and risk a recurrence of the injury next season? If Kaprizov misses a chunk of time again next season, that money may no longer be there from the Wild or any other team.”
Michael Russo on a potential Kaprizov extension (The Athletic)
It’s great that the salary cap is growing at the same time the Minnesota Wild escape contract buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. That doesn’t mean they should go crazy on a player that has now been hurt in three consecutive seasons, though.
Related: Kirill Kaprizov Surgery Deemed a Success; Wild Get Injury Updates on Brodin, Johansson Too
As Russo points out, Kaprizov and his agent must weigh a percentage of the cap structure against his health uncertainty. Previous injury doesn’t change how Wild general manager Bill Geurin views his star, but it might impact how he pays him.
“He’s in unbelievable shape. He’s a machine. I have no concerns about that. Players get hurt.”
Bill Guerin on Kaprizov’s injuries (The Athletic)
There’s no denying the type of player Kaprizov is. He has 52 points in just 37 games this season. His 23 goals were trending towards a career-high and he certainly could’ve threatened his 61 assist tally from the 2021-22 season.
A gift indeed 🎁#EasyToCelebrate x @budlight pic.twitter.com/IclTNfqgKf
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 24, 2024
Over the next couple of weeks, the Wild will get another glimpse into just how impactful Kaprizov is to their roster. They will see what level of winning they can do without him, and what appetite the front office may be willing to make on that gamble.
It’s not as though Kaprizov’s injuries have been a byproduct of situations he has put himself in. As Guerin said, players get hurt. Sometimes the body doesn’t cooperate, and sometimes that happens for certain people more than others.
The talk of Kaprizov’s looming extension, and the exact valuation of it, will only get louder this summer.
Related: John Hynes ‘Jacked’ About Jiříček Future but When Can the Wild Expect it to Start
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