Wild owner on Kirill Kaprizov contract talks: ‘I just don’t feel like we’re that far off’

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is not concerned about the future of his team’s best player.

Speaking at an event unveiling the new name for the Wild’s home arena on Wednesday, Leipold told reporters that he expects Kirill Kaprizov will re-sign with the team and not test free agency next summer.

The comment comes after recent reports from Michael Russo of The Athletic and NHL insider Frank Seravalli indicated that the Wild are prepared to make Kaprizov the highest-paid player in the NHL, with an annual salary between $15 million and $16 million over a max-term eight-year deal.

Leon Draisaitl will be the highest-paid player in the NHL this season, with a $14-million cap hit.

Kaprizov, 28, is entering the final year of a five-year, $45-million contract. He has scored at least 40 goals three times in his five-year career and twice finished the season with more than 95 points. Last season, injuries limited Kaprizov to only 41 games and he finished the year with 25 goals and 56 points.

“We’ve been talking all summer. Things are good,” Wild GM Bill Guerin said of talks with Kaprizov, last week on local radio station KFAN. “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.”