The Wild also wanted to give him some ownership. Kaprizov was given an “A” on his sweater before this past season, a sign of his growing leadership role on the team. We always have a chance to win games and go in playoffs, fighting there.” I feel we have a lot of good players on the team. We know each other and I don’t like (to) say what had happened where. “When I came here, more than half the team played the last four years here. “I think a lot of guys stay a long time in this team and we know each other,” Kaprizov said. It was asked on Friday, how does Kaprizov feel about the future of this team? Does this team have a chance to compete in the playoffs? 🗣️ Kirill on understanding the expectations of him on this team. 'My position is to score goals to help the team win games.' My position is to score goals, help the team win games. “You mean pressure, like bad pressure? No, I think everyone (wants) for me goals, and I know this, and it’s like normal for me. “No, I don’t feel like this,” Kaprizov said. He had to carry the team offensively Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy were pretty much a one-line team in the second half. Kaprizov said he hopes the Wild learn from their mistakes this season, but, “I hope we’re all healthy next year and just try playing our hockey, that’s it.” 13 on, Kaprizov’s 33 goals were second in the NHL and his 62 points were tied for second. Once he returned, he scored 33 goals and 62 points in 41 games - a season pace of 66 goals and 124 points. 30 that removed him from the Wild’s lineup at the worst time - right when they got back into a playoff spot and before integral games inside the division.

Then he sustained a rib injury in Winnipeg on Dec. It’s clear Kaprizov wasn’t 100 percent at the start of the season, stemming from his hamstring injury last spring. When asked what needs to change for the team, Kaprizov brought up injuries to key players like Jared Spurgeon, Marcus Foligno, Jonas Brodin and himself. Remember, he spent the entire offseason in Minnesota and Florida last summer because he had so much difficulty getting back to the United States two summers ago. Kaprizov isn’t sure about his offseason plans yet, whether he’s staying stateside to train or returning to Russia. So nothing has ever been simple when signing Kaprizov. It also was quite the contract battle to re-sign him to his current five-year, $45 million contract after he won the Calder Trophy in 2021. Beyond the fact that it took this organization 20 years to unearth a bona fide superstar, it also took this franchise five years after drafting Kaprizov to get him to come over from Russia. You can’t blame Leipold, Guerin and fans for already fretting. And I think we can continue to surround him and keep building to surround him with a better team.”

And yeah, I do feel that we need to show him that we’re committed to winning. That doesn’t always mean in their personal situation, their contract or their stats or whatever.

“When you have star players, I think you have to show them how committed you are as well.

“That’s what I love about (Kaprizov) is that he wants to win,” Guerin said after conducting exit meetings with his players Friday. Kaprizov, in the prime of his career, has every right to determine whether this is where he can win. “I would be lying to you if it’s not on our minds,” Leipold said last fall. He’s eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2025, one year ahead of unrestricted free agency, and the Wild have yet to put together a supporting cast that has gotten them past the first round in Kaprizov’s tenure.Īs owner Craig Leipold said candidly before the season, Kaprizov, who has completely rewritten the Wild’s record book, is a big part of their future, “but only if he stays here.” Why? Because winning, the playoffs … that’s what drives him.Īnd that’s what makes next season such a pivotal one for the Wild, to give Kaprizov hope that he can be part of a contender. When asked if he was happy with his season, he simply said no. President of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin pointed out that Kaprizov tried to “put the team on his back” down the stretch when the Russian superstar had 20 goals in his final 21 games.īut you could tell how much it pained Kaprizov, who turns 27 on Friday, to not be in the postseason.

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