Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin dropped a less-than-encouraging update on contract negotiations with restricted free agent Marco Rossi and impending unrestricted free agent Kirill Kaprizov.
In an interview with RG Media’s James Murphy published on August 13, Guerin discussed the ongoing situation with Rossi and Kaprizov. When asked to provide an update on the matter, Guerin replied:
“I don’t like to put really anything out in the public when it comes to negotiations, but no, there’s no real updates.”
The comments underscore the glacial pace at which negotiations have moved this summer. Wild fans have been anticipating a major announcement all summer, but none has yet to materialize.
But not all news is bleak in Minnesota. Guerin delivered this positive thought:
“The talks have been pretty consistent.”
That comment underscores that discussions remain ongoing. That bodes well, as training camps are roughly a month away and Rossi still does not have a contract.
Despite swirling trade rumors all summer, it seems the Wild will eventually get a deal done with Rossi.
As for Kaprizov, there’s no need to panic just yet. Kaprizov will be entering the final year of his current deal. While the prevailing wisdom is to extend him as soon as possible, the Russian star may be biding his time.
Perhaps a deal could be coming sooner rather than later. In the meantime, fans will have to hold their breath until there’s an announcement regarding Kaprizov’s extension.
Wild have gotten better this offseason
Guerin also delved into the overall outcome of this offseason. On the whole, Guerin believes, the Wild have gotten better. Two important additions have improved the club.
Here’s Murphy quoting Guerin again:
“We’ve obviously made some changes, and I think we’ve gotten better. The additions of [Vladimir] Tarasenko and Nico Sturm have made us deeper.”
The Wild landed Tarasenko in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations. Tarasenko didn’t really hit it off in Detroit. So, a change of scenery could be highly beneficial. Meanwhile, Nico Sturm joined the club as a free agent.
Both Sturm and Tarasenko are depth additions at best. But there’s always the hope that either one could excel in Minnesota, potentially rekindling some of their past success.
The additions, as well as the team’s current core, prompted Guerin to declare:
“So, overall, I feel like we’re in a good spot.”
The Wild will be looking to remain in the playoff picture in a stacked Central Division. The Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets will be jockeying for position among the division’s top three spots while the Utah Mammoth have garnered a lot of summer buzz as a possible dark horse to make the playoffs.
As such, the Wild may be looking to firm their grasp on one of the Western Conference’s wild card spots this upcoming season.