Kaprizov and the Wild were thrilled to see Nico Sturm return to the Twin Cities after hoisting his second Stanley Cup in the NHL (with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and Florida Panthers in 2025). However, the dream return for the German back into Minnesota could be put on hold.

“Nico Sturm, who practiced yesterday but has been dealing with a back injury all camp, is suddenly also on injured reserve,” as reported by The Athletic’s Michael Russo through his X account (formerly Twitter).

Awaiting

While the Wild have yet to provide an update on Sturm’s health status going forward, Russo hints it might put the team in a compromising position. If the former Florida Panthers’ forward is indeed out for considerable time, it might be time for Minnesota to hit the market.

“Indication I’m getting is Nico Sturm’s situation isn’t good,” Michael Russo added. “Wild really need these young guys to make an impact or I could see Bill Guerin having to address this.”

Rainy day fund

As it stands, the Wild currently have approximately $3.5 million in available cap space, according to PuckPedia. Despite handing Kaprizov the most expensive contract in NHL history, Minnesota still has some bucks to move if needed. However, everyone would much rather see Sturm return to the ice and wear the sweater in which he made his league debut back in the 2018-19 season.

Mats Zuccarello has become a core member of the Wild ever since arriving in the summer of 2019. Entering as an unrestricted free agent, the veteran has played a key role in Minnesota’s rise in the NHL. However, Kaprizov and company will have to do without him as the 2025-26 season gets underway.

“Mats Zuccarello is expected to miss a minimum of seven to eight weeks with a lower-body injury,” the Wild announced through its PR account on X.

Accolade is put on hold

Zuccarello has been on an incredible journey since entering the NHL. The Norwegian winger came in under the radar, however. Instead, he signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA), making his league debut in 2010 with the New York Rangers.

Since, he’s played 904 games, recording 217 goals, 473 assists, and 690 points. Due to the lower-body injury, his chase for the 700-point mark will be left in standby until he returns to the ice. Once he does, it shouldn’t be long before the typical second-liner in St. Paul secures the milestone.

Focus

Meanwhile, Kaprizov and company will have to hold their ground and keep the Wild in the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The goal is clear: Minnesota must snap its ten-year hex of first-round exits. Winning the Stanley Cup for the first time is another pending task, but the Wild are taking it one step at a time.

The last time the Wild won four games in the postseason, Zuccarello was still in the Big Apple, and Kaprizov was an 18-year-old on the verge of being drafted by Minnesota.

Back then, the Russian forward must have never thought that one day he’d sign an eight-year deal with a $17M AAV to become the highest-paid player in NHL history. Needless to say, it’s time for Kaprizov and the Wild to put the puck where the money is.

Kaprizov had previously rejected a deal for the same number of years worth $126 million. After a few days of speculation, the Russian winger and the Wild agreed on an extension $10 million higher, which carries a $17 million annual salary cap hit.

McDavid has yet to finalize his extension, and it’s a hot topic not only for the Oilers but also for other franchises eager to seize the opportunity to sign him. In this sense, Edmonton must take note of what’s happening around the league in order to make a new offer.

How much is Connor McDavid making per year with the Oilers?

Kaprizov secured an annual figure of $17 million in his $136 million, eight-year deal with Minnesota. In comparison, McDavid’s current contract is worth $12.5 million per year under the eight-year, $100 million agreement he signed in 2017 with the Edmonton Oilers.

Kaprizov makes history

The Wild forward has momentarily made history by becoming the highest-paid player in the NHL with his $17 million annual salary. He has surpassed Leon Draisaitl, whose eight-year, $112 million deal carries a $14 million annual cap hit for the 2025-26 season with the Oilers.

Kaprizov tops the wealth rankings

Kaprizov’s new deal with the Wild for the 2025-26 NHL season not only makes him the highest-paid player of the season but also the richest by total dollars, with $136 million over eight years. The information was reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, and rounding out the top three are Alex Ovechkin with $124 million over 13 years with the Washington Capitals, followed by Leon Draisaitl and his $112 million deal.

Kaprizov, who has accumulated 386 points in 319 regular-season games and 21 points in 25 playoff contests, has voiced comfort in Minnesota, calling it his “second home” behind Russia. Despite the lack of a finalized contract, he’s focused on hockey and helping the Wild contend for a deep playoff run.

Leipold emphasized the value of patience, noting the shifting NHL salary cap landscape and the complexities it introduces. He remains confident in Guerin’s ability to manage the process effectively, underscoring a strong working relationship with the general manager and faith in the team’s direction.

Can the Wild secure Kaprizov before the season starts?

Negotiations remain opaque, with neither side revealing concrete details. Leipold declined to comment on specifics, though he acknowledged Kaprizov’s importance: “Obviously he’s a special player, and special players do special things. So we’d love to have a player of his caliber on our team.”

The rising salary cap and other unsigned stars around the league complicate projections. Leipold explained, via TSN: “That’s a lot of new money in the system that, frankly, a year or two ago we certainly had no idea was going to be available. So, it does change things, but we have to change with it.”

Leipold optimistic about Wild’s prospects

Beyond contract talks, Leipold shared optimism about the team’s chances this season. “I believe in it. I believe in hard work and preparation. I like our team. I hope we’re lucky enough not to have injuries. I think this could be a really special year,” he said, noting that the Wild have rarely advanced past the first round in the past decade.

With the regular season approaching and a healthy roster, the Wild aim to combine talent and opportunity, hoping this year’s mix might finally push them deeper into the playoffs.

Question marks surfaced in Minneapolis-St. Paul after Kaprizov’s decision made waves all across the NHL. Now, it’s unclear whether the Russian star wants out of the organization or if he is simply looking for more money.

Regardless, the Wild aren’t changing their stance. Minnesota is staying put in their decision to keep the 28-year-old winger. According to reports, they are sending a concise message to the rest of the league.

“[Moving Kaprizov] is not the Wild’s intention,” insider Pierre LeBrun commented on TSN. “They are not even entertaining trade calls from teams. Teams are trying to reach out but right now the Wild are telling everyone around the league: ‘We are still trying to sign Kaprizov’. And they believe they can, and that’s important to know. They hope to still sign him, many believe Kaprizov still wants to stay.”

Tension can be cut with a knife

Minnesota is home to the biggest mall in the United States, and Minneapolis–St. Paul’s hockey club is doing its state proud. At the moment, the NHL organization in the Twin Cities is staring at the biggest shopping bill on the continent.

“This is not cordial, this negotiation is a little more edgy between Kaprizov’s agent and GM Bill Guerin. Last week was very emotional, and it’s not clear what the endgame here is. But I don’t think the Wild want to negotiate against themselves,” LeBrun added. “They feel they made an unbelievable offer, so I don’t know how much more they can move, but they’ll have to. The question is does Kaprizov want to stay or not.”

Kaprizov reportedly rejected an eight-year, $16M contract, so re-signing him won’t be particularly cheap for the Wild. Now, the atmosphere at the negotiating table is growing thick with tension.

The market must wait

Once the initial shock of Kaprizov’s contract rejection faded, the rest of the NHL began to move their pieces on the board. However, they will have to wait, because Minnesota is far from giving up on its franchise player. For the time being, other teams can keep their offers to themselves, as the Wild have no interest in listening.

“Lot of teams around the league are keeping a close eye on this because this one is a lot more tense and could go a number of different ways. But for now the Wild have not asked for a list of teams to Kaprizov,” insider LeBrun concluded.

Kaprizov is entering the final season of his five-year, $45 million which includes a full no-movement clause (NMC). Thus, if the Wild hope to trade Kaprizov before losing him to free agency, they’d need the Russian to waive his NMC. The best way to do that is by having the forward provide a list of teams he’d agree to be traded to.

Since arriving in Denver last January, Martin Necas has been through peaks and valleys. The former Hurricane got off to a solid start but his production began to fade come the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now, the Avalanche must work out a new deal with the forward set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer.

However, it won’t be that easy for Colorado to retain the key teammate of MacKinnon. As reported, the ongoing drama in Minnesota with Kaprizov’s new contract could further delay the signing of Necas in Mile High City.

“Anything is possible. But if I’m in Necas’ camp, why would I? If you’re Necas, why would you sign before that? Kaprizov will completely reset the market for wingers with the rising salary cap moving forward. Necas doesn’t have to wait, but it’s smart business on their end to do so,” as stated by Evan Rawal on the Denver Gazette.

Something’s got to give

Across the NHL, a similar theme is repeating itself. Just as most teams had quiet summers with few moves made around the league, players with pending extensions are taking it slow, too. The Avalanche and Wild are learning that lesson the hard way.

“What will be fascinating? If none of these big names sign before camp or the start of the regular season,” Rawal commented. “The market is likely waiting on Kaprizov and Connor McDavid to make the first move. If they don’t, who does?“

Payday

With the salary cap set to increase next year, no one wants to miss out on money by rushing into a decision. However, at some point, someone has to lay down their arms and kickstart a domino effect across the league. When that day finally arrives, expect to see big bucks flying all around the NHL landscape. From Edmonton to Minnesota, it’ll be raining money.

The Oilers are ready to go any distance to keep McDavid in town. Money, term, or any item that may come up in negotiations won’t be an issue. In a type of “Simon says” game, Edmonton will please its captain and his camp with whatever deal they toss across the table. It may be expensive and controversial, but the Oilers simply don’t care. Under no circumstances can they afford to let their captain walk as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

McDavid and his camp already knew that, but the brass in Northern Alberta made it crystal clear, just in case they ever forgot. Now, it’s only a matter of time until McDavid finally steps forward and asks to seal the deal. However, Edmonton should know better than to expect everything to go smoothly. After Kirill Kaprizov reportedly rejected a record-breaking extension with the Minnesota Wild, McDavid’s new deal could face a setback, too.

Things turned Wild

It’s acknowledged around the league that Kaprizov and McDavid are set to establish the foundations for the new max-contract in the NHL. Like Leon Draisaitl did back in September 2024, the Oilers’ captain and Wild’s alternate are expected to raise the bar even further.

However, with Kaprizov turning down an eight-year, $128M offer, then the Oilers don’t really know what the asking price should be for McDavid. In a sense, Edmonton was relying on Minnesota to dip a foot in the water and see how deep it truly was.

Now, the Oilers face two options: they either dive into the depths themselves or wait by the shore and risk entering the 2025-26 NHL campaign with an unsigned captain in the locker room. If past years weren’t crazy enough, the Oilers will be in for a treat if they face a regular season with the loud buzz and speculation surrounding McDavid’s future.

Reason why

While Kaprizov’s though process to reject such a lucrative offer is unclear, it could be broken down to two stances. On the one hand, it could signal the Russian skater is displeased with the terms of the deal. It’s unlikely he was hoping to earn more money, though. After all, he’d have taken a $2M lead over the next biggest salary in the league.

Instead, it might actually be Kaprizov isn’t decided on signing for the long-haul. It makes sense, though. The Wild has never won the Stanley Cup and hasn’t made it past the first round since 2015. Minnesota hasn’t gotten a taste of the second round ever since drafting Kaprizov. At some point, the 28-year-old winger will grow sick and tired of the fleeting postseasons in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Lastly, though less likely, is the possibility Kaprizov hopes to leave as an UFA, altogether. Or, at least test out the open market. His contract includes a full no-movement clause, so the option is indeed there if he wishes to go down that road. He could play out this season and make a decision in the summer of ’26, with no strings attached to the organization in the Twin Cities.

Meanwhile in Edmonton

As for McDavid, there isn’t much room for such speculation. The captain has been honest about his feelings, making it clear he wishes to stay in Edmonton. For how long? Well, that’s the million-dollar question. McDavid isn’t fully sold on the core for the future. He is well aware that what’s working for the Oilers now might become obsolete a couple of years down the road.

The last thing McDavid wants to do is commit himself to a long-term deal without a clear vision of what Edmonton’s roster will look like. Moreover, he wishes to be paid as the best player in the NHL, but he realizes that might come at the expense of his desire to be surrounded by a Stanley Cup–contending roster.

These are times of great confusion and suspense in both Edmonton and Minneapolis–St. Paul. McDavid himself said it best: “Every option is on the table.” Until the two stars put pen to paper on their respective deals, no idea should be considered too wild, nor can celebrations erupt until each side strikes oil—keeping their best players in town for as long as they can get them to agree.

Kaprizov has exceeded expectations since entering the NHL, and those weren’t exactly set low on the Russian wonderkid. Selected with the 135th overall pick in the 2015 entry Draft, Kaprizov was considered to be a raw talent. His potential was clear and his ceiling was quite high.

However, teams passed on him until the Wild took a wager on the forward who was only 18 years old by then. Minnesota took its time, as Kaprizov didn’t make his NHL debut until 2020, five years after he was selected. Still, since he has been a key contributor night in and night out for the Wild.

As a result, the organization is determined to extend his contract for the long haul. The Wild are willing to break the bank for the 28-year-old, who is entering his prime. However, Kaprizov may have other plans, as he rejected an eight-year, $128M contract. Now, Minnesota must contemplate all of its options.

“If Kaprizov won’t entertain a contract extension by the Wild, it could be incumbent on Guerin to get a handful of teams Kaprizov would consider a trade to,” Michael Russo and Joe Smith stated on The Athletic.

Before it’s too late

It’s definitely a last-resource option for the Wild, but it can’t be left unattended. Minnesota hopes to keep its franchise gem in the Twin Cities, but that could be at stake if Kaprizov shows unwillingness to work out a new deal. Therefore, the Wild must keep the trade route open—just in case.

Kaprizov is set to enter the final season of his five-year, $45 million deal he signed back in 2021. Now, with the looming threat of the winger walking out as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), the Wild could be forced to act before it’s too late. Of course, there’s a catch. Isn’t there always, though?

Give the Wild a hint

Kaprizov’s deal includes a full no-movement clause (NMC), so in order for the Wild to move him they’d need cooperation on their star’s part. Therefore, GM Bill Guerin and company should be wise to get some intel from Kaprizov and his camp on places he’d be willing to waive his NMC if it ever comes down to it.