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Minnesota Wild linked to blockbuster deal involving Russian star to give Kirill Kaprizov a star linemate

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Julien Trekker
October 3, 2025 (11:11 PM)

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The Minnesota Wild have been linked to a former Chicago Blackhawks star after signing Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term extension.

Kirill Kaprizov put an end to the rumors when he agreed to sign a massive eight-year, $17M AAV contract with the Minnesota Wild earlier this week.

For the Wild, making Kaprizov the highest-paid player in the NHL was a no-brainer.

General Manager of the team Bill Guerin made that clear in a press conference:

"All of our players are important. All the contracts are important. Hockey is very much a team sport. We have 20 guys out there battling every night. You can't play the whole game, so they need each other and they're all important.

This one is, it's big because Kirill is our franchise player and keeping him was extremely important. There's a lot more to it than maybe some of the other ones, but it doesn't mean they're not important. But, yeah, this was a big one. This is the biggest one in franchise history, for sure."

Now that their franchise player has been secured long-term, management must do all they can to build a strong team around him.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the organization could go after a former Chicago Blackhawks star in free agency next summer.

Minnesota Wild Linked to Artemi Panarin By Elliotte Friedman

Panarin, who spent the first two seasons of his NHL career in Chicago, could return to the Central Division.

On the latest 32 Thoughts episode, Friedman speculated about the idea of seeing the Minnesota Wild pursue Panarin in free agency next summer if he doesn't sign an extension with the New York Rangers.

He also pointed out the fact that Panarin and Kaprizov have the same agent, Paul Theofanous:

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Currently in the last year of his $11.5M AAV contract with the Rangers, Panarin could be entering his final moments with the team that acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade eight years ago.

If he were to become available on the market next summer, Panarin would likely get offers from a few NHL teams, but with Kaprizov on the team, the Wild are in a great position to make it happen.

It will all depend on what the Russian star asks for in his next contract.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

$9.6M former Blackhawks forward dumped on NHL waivers by Maple Leafs: Reunion in Chicago?

A major development in GM Kyle Davidson being fired by the Blackhawks: "Bedard needs help"

Chicago Blackhawks set steep asking price for Lukas Reichel

POLL
OCTOBRE 3 \| 141 ANSWERS Minnesota Wild linked to blockbuster deal involving Russian star to give Kirill Kaprizov a star linemate Do you think Artemi Panarin will join the Minnesota Wild next summer?
Yes	43	30.5 %
No	98	69.5 %
List of polls

Minnesota Wild linked to blockbuster deal involving Russian star to give Kirill Kaprizov a star linemate

The Minnesota Wild have been linked to a former Chicago Blackhawks star after signing Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term extension.

Minnesota Wild Linked to Artemi Panarin By Elliotte Friedman

Do you think Artemi Panarin will join the Minnesota Wild next summer?