What\u2019s your concern level on whether Kaprizov will sign an extension with him a year from free agency?<\/p>\n
4,755 responses<\/p>\n
Not concerned at all. He\u2019s staying<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
51.4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Somewhat concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
42.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Very concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
6.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guerin said nobody should \u201cpanic\u201d if Kaprizov wasn\u2019t signed July 1, and we\u2019re now almost at Aug. 1 and it\u2019s still quiet. So it\u2019d be understandable if there was some anxiety among the fan base. Instead, there\u2019s more optimism than there was last year, when 28 percent of you said you were \u201cvery concerned.\u201d Now, 51 percent of you are emphatic Kaprizov is staying (compared to just 17 percent last year).<\/p>\n
There are good reasons for this, especially Kaprizov\u2019s positive tone in his exit meeting<\/a>\u00a0press conference, saying about negotiations, \u201cI love everything. It should be all good.\u201d We broke down some burning questions<\/a> recently around Kaprizov\u2019s contract, and we\u2019ll know more after Guerin and Kaprizov meet face-to-face before camp.<\/p>\n What do you think a Kaprizov extension will look like?<\/p>\n 4,747 responses<\/p>\n A seven- or eight-year term at between $14 and $15 million AAV<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 45.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A seven- or eight-year term at north of $15 million AAV<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 35.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A two- to four-year bridge deal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 16.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A one-year extension<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 0.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n He\u2019s not re-signing<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n The Wild would like to sign Kaprizov to a long-term deal and are the only team that can offer him eight years (one of their advantages). The prevailing belief among fans is that\u2019s what will get it done, with over 80 percent of you believing it\u2019ll be a seven- or eight-year term. It will be interesting to see, though, if Kaprizov actually prefers a shorter-term bridge deal to take advantage of the rising cap, plus put some pressure on Guerin to build a contender around him.<\/p>\n There are risks for both sides on a long-term deal, especially considering Kaprizov missed half of the season due to a surgery on a lower-body injury and will turn 29 by the time this extension starts.<\/p>\n What do you think a Rossi contract will look like?<\/p>\n 4,756 responses<\/p>\n A seven- or eight-year term at north of $6 million AAV<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 10.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A five-year term at around $5 million AAV<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 14.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A two- to four-year bridge deal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 50.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A one-year contract<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 11.6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n He’s going to be traded<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 12.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rossi turned down a five-year, $25 million extension last winter, and the reality is that\u2019s below market value for a contract that long for a 60-point 23-year-old.<\/p>\n The comparable for a six- or seven-year term is north of $6.5 million and even in the $7 million range, judging by recent NHL signings, and the Wild are showing no appetite to go that long anyway at any price.<\/p>\n Even though Matt Boldy\u2019s contract is more than two years old, the Wild aren\u2019t willing to go to the same numbers because they feel Rossi isn\u2019t Boldy.<\/p>\n So a two-year bridge deal seems the likely resolution, giving Minnesota two more years to evaluate Rossi and see if a player like Danila Yurov is the real deal.<\/p>\n What do you think of the Wild\u2019s contract offers to Rossi (five years at a $5 million AAV or two years at under $5 million AAV)?<\/p>\n 4,754 responses<\/p>\n Too rich<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Appropriate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 49.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Under market value<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 49.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n It\u2019s fitting that you\u2019re split on this, as the Wild and Rossi\u2019s camp are in a pretty strong stalemate. The team feels its offers have been strong, but if you\u2019re Rossi, betting on yourself, there\u2019s reason to expect more.<\/p>\n There will have to be a compromise made here somewhere, especially as camp opens in mid-September. They\u2019re playing a game of chicken but the Wild do need Rossi considering their center depth.<\/p>\n Yes, Rossi has no \u201crights\u201d beyond an offer sheet because he\u2019s not arbitration-eligible, but there\u2019s leverage on Rossi\u2019s side, too. A contract holdout into training camp or the season takes away a serious point producer.<\/p>\n What do you think Rossi will become?<\/p>\n 4,758 responses<\/p>\n No. 1 center<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Top-six center<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 80.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Third-line center<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 16.6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Depth forward<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n It\u2019s hard to argue what 80.1 percent think. The Wild may even agree.<\/p>\n The big question is whether they want it to happen here. Plain and simple, the Wild aren\u2019t sold on committing the term and dollars necessary to make Rossi the team\u2019s second-line center of the future because they\u2019re not sold on a player of his size and talent level in that spot being enough to get the team over the hump to be a consistent Stanley Cup contender.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying Rossi\u2019s courage and willingness to go to the dirty areas, but can he break down defenders in the playoffs with his undersized frame?<\/p>\n That\u2019s the question that\u2019s slowing progress in contract talks.<\/p>\n Craig Leipold predicted July 1 would be like \u201cChristmas.\u201d At this point this offseason, the Wild have traded for Vladimir Tarasenko, signed Nico Sturm and re-signed Marcus Johansson. How would you grade Guerin\u2019s offseason?<\/p>\n 4,759 responses<\/p>\n A<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3.4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n B<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 33.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n C<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 41.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n D<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 17.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n F<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 4.9%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n There was a lot of hype around what Guerin could do now that the dead cap hits from Parise and Suter are finally mostly off the books. So what the Wild did could be seen as underwhelming.<\/p>\n But it appears fans here are grading on a curve, with most people giving Guerin a B or a C. There were other factors in why Guerin couldn\u2019t do more, as most teams kept their top free agents, so a lot of the big names didn\u2019t even get to the market (including a top Wild target in Brock Nelson).<\/p>\n There weren\u2019t many sellers during trade talks, Guerin said, as most teams wanted to get better. In that context, fans were pleased with Guerin\u2019s restraint on July 1, which he said can be a \u201cday of mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n Guerin indicated that not doing much this summer allows him to be in the market for some big fish during the season with trades, or even next summer.<\/p>\n Gustavsson has one year left on his contract. Would you sign him to an extension this offseason or wait to analyze his season and Wallstedt\u2019s?<\/p>\n 4,759 responses<\/p>\n Sign Gus now<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 52.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Wait and see<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 45.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Trade him. Wallstedt is the future<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Gustavsson is coming off a strong season, looking a lot more like the version from 2022-23 than the one that struggled in 2023-24.<\/p>\n The Swede showed he\u2019s capable<\/a> of being the Wild\u2019s No. 1 of the present and potentially the future. He\u2019s a great fit and beloved by teammates. That could give Guerin reason to pursue a contract extension this summer as opposed to waiting until he hits unrestricted free agency next offseason.<\/p>\n But while a little more than half of you are ready to commit to Gustavsson, the other half is in wait-and-see mode. That speaks to the belief remaining in Wallstedt, who is coming off a season he called \u201cterrible.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Wallstedt has been touted as the team\u2019s goalie of the future since getting drafted in the first round, so the Wild could spend a little more time to see how he bounces back in his first full season in the NHL. Gustavsson did talk about how being a goalie partner with Wallstedt could have a different feel<\/a> than his bond with mentor Marc-Andre Fleury.<\/p>\n What do you think Wallstedt will become?<\/p>\n 4,752 responses<\/p>\n Superstar goaltender<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Solid No. 1 goalie<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 53.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Average No. 1 goalie<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 34.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Career backup<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 6.7%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Bust<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n As much as Wallstedt struggled last season, there were some factors involved. He suffered three different injuries and played behind an AHL Iowa team that wasn\u2019t very strong defensively or on the PK.<\/p>\n He has been among the best prospects in his age group for a long time, and he didn\u2019t forget how to play goalie in one year.<\/p>\n The talent is there. The key is the mental side, and Wallstedt is betting on himself bouncing back, using Gustavsson\u2019s summer \u201creset\u201d as a model. The coaches in Iowa believe Wallstedt\u2019s down year could be a blessing in disguise, showing him how to handle adversity during a season, which could help him in the NHL.<\/p>\n Your belief in Wallstedt being a superstar goalie dropped from 21 percent last year to 3.1 percent this year, though. Wallstedt knows this will be a big prove-it year to show he can acclimate. But if Wallstedt becomes a \u201csolid No. 1 goalie,\u201d like over 50 percent of you believe, the Wild will be happy.<\/p>\n Last fall, Guerin said Boldy had the ability to be a 50-goal, 50-assist guy. From what Boldy showed you last season and in the playoffs, what is his ceiling?<\/p>\n 4,758 responses<\/p>\n Superstar<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 17.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Robin to Kirill Kaprizov\u2019s Batman<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 57.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n What he has been: a 30-goal, 70-point guy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 25.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Boldy was terrific in the playoffs, forming a dynamic duo with Kaprizov. They were borderline unstoppable at times. That version of Boldy \u2014 the skilled scorer not afraid to go to the dirty areas \u2014 had superstar qualities<\/a> and scored some big-time goals.<\/p>\n If the definition of \u201csuperstar\u201d is a top-10 player, like Kaprizov, though, Boldy isn\u2019t in that category yet. But there\u2019s nothing wrong with being a Robin to Kaprizov\u2019s Batman, like 57.3 percent of you voted. Plus, Boldy is only 24 years old, so he likely hasn\u2019t reached his ceiling yet.<\/p>\n What kind of impact will Tarasenko have this season?<\/p>\n 4,749 responses<\/p>\n The St. Louis Blues version<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3.9%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n A consistent point producer<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 75.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n The Detroit Red Wings version<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 20.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Few believe Tarasenko\u2019s going to magically rekindle the consistent stardom he brought in St. Louis, when he scored 33 or more goals in six consecutive non-pandemic-shortened, 82-game seasons. He has slowed down.<\/p>\n But three-quarters of you are banking on what the Wild are: that he\u2019ll earn a consistent top-six role that would allow him to play at even strength with Rossi or Joel Eriksson Ek alongside a mix of Boldy, Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello.<\/p>\n If he produces in that role, the one-year gamble that brought him to Minnesota<\/a> from Detroit for no assets will have been worth it.<\/p>\n Regardless of no-trade protection, which one of these core players would you be most open to trading?<\/p>\n 4,730 responses<\/p>\n Spurgeon, 35, the second full-time captain in Wild history, has been a constant in Minnesota\u2019s uniform since making his NHL debut on his 21st birthday in 2010.<\/p>\n He\u2019s arguably the biggest success story in franchise history. If the Wild hadn\u2019t given a contract to the former New York Islanders sixth-round pick after his drafting team let him go unsigned, he had one foot on a plane ready for a career overseas.<\/p>\n Instead, the Wild signed him and today he\u2019s the franchise leader among defensemen in games played (933), goals (117) and points (416).<\/p>\n But with two years left on his contract and despite a solid season that saw him play 66 games as opposed to the 16 the year before, almost 44 percent of you are ready to cut ties. Ryan Hartman was a relatively close second after being suspended a fifth time last season, which cost him eight games at a tumultuous time in the season.<\/p>\n Who\u2019s the Wild\u2019s next captain after Spurgeon?<\/p>\n 4,752 responses<\/p>\n This is an interesting question, and one the Wild probably won\u2019t have to worry about for a couple of years with Spurgeon still under contract. There are some quality candidates here, from the Wild\u2019s vocal heart-and-soul leader in Foligno to their superstar in Kaprizov to a perfect lead-by-example guy in Eriksson Ek, arguably the team\u2019s most irreplaceable player.<\/p>\n But Faber makes a lot of sense. He plays, acts and talks like a captain and was one with the Gophers. He\u2019s thoughtful, accountable and a franchise cornerstone (signed to a long-term deal, too). You can\u2019t go wrong with a few choices here, but Faber seems like he\u2019d get the nod.<\/p>\n Which prospect not named Zeev Buium are you most excited about?<\/p>\n 4,750 responses<\/p>\n Hunter Haight<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 0.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Riley Heidt<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3.2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n David Jiricek<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 7.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Liam Ohgren<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 9.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Charlie Stramel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Jesper Wallstedt<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 6.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Danila Yurov<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 71.4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n This one was Yurov in a landslide. The Wild are really high on their top forward prospect, someone who is a proven winner and can play the middle of the ice.<\/p>\nResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ResponsePercent of vote<\/tr>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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