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.
“I just don’t feel like we’re that far off,” Leipold said of the negotiation, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic.
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 c