The future of Kirill Kaprizov with the Wild beyond this season has garnered plenty of attention with the winger now extension-eligible. But nearly two months into that eligibility, no agreement has come to fruition just yet. Speaking in a recent KFAN appearance (Twitter link), GM Bill Guerin seemed confident that a deal eventually will get done:
We’ve been talking all summer. Things are good. Things are in a good spot. I’m comfortable with where everything is. I’m confident. Kirill loves Minnesota. I know he loves Minnesota. I know he believes in the team. These things just take time.
When healthy, Kaprizov has been one of the top-scoring wingers in the NHL. He’s reached the 40-goal mark three times in his five-year career and was producing at a 50-goal pace last year before he ultimately missed half the season due to injuries. The Wild’s top priority this summer was trying to get a new deal in place for him, we’ll see soon enough if they’re able to get something across the finish line with training camps now just a few weeks away.
More from the Western Conference:
- As part of their July 1st spending spree, the Kings added winger Joel Armia on a two-year, $5MM contract. Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider wonders if the 32-year-old might wind up as their best value signing. It’s expected that he’ll line up on the fourth line at even strength which means his playing time and production might drop from a year ago (14:18 and 29 points) but his ability to kill penalties should take some of the pressure off their top-line penalty killers from a year ago, freeing them up to focus a bit more on their offense.
- Earlier this month, the Sharks and the City of San Jose reached a tentative agreement on a plan that would see their arena undergo a seven-year upgrade with the team committing to stay through 2050-51, pending ratification from City Council. Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News relays that the approval was made official earlier this week, ensuring that the team won’t be going anywhere for a long time.