Wild Owner Dismisses ‘Marian Gaborik 2.0’ Comparisons in Kirill Kaprizov Situation

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has rejected comparisons between the team’s contract standoff with Kirill Kaprizov and the franchise’s infamous saga with Marian Gaborik more than a decade ago.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo raised the parallel, noting both players were franchise cornerstones approaching free agency after rejecting massive offers.

Gaborik turned down a 10-year, $80 million offer from the Wild in 2008 and ended up leaving Minnesota in 2009 after an injury-plagued season, shortly before multiple firings and exits caused a franchise reset, including the arrival of Leipold.

“The Gaborik situation was a disappointing situation, but this is entirely different,” Leipold said.

Kaprizov, 28, reportedly declined an eight-year, $128 million offer and holds a full no-move clause in his five-year, $45 million deal as he approaches free agency.

The Russian winger missed 41 games last season, fueling parallels to Gaborik’s injury-marred exit when the Wild ultimately lost him for nothing.

Kaprizov has been far more productive and durable overall than Gaborik, posting 386 points in 319 games (1.21 points per game) and three 40-goal seasons.

Gaborik, for context, scored 437 points in 502 outings (0.87 PPG) and only topped 40 goals once (42 in 2007-08) while in Minnesota. He also endured extended injuries in his final year, appearing in just 17 regular-season games and straining ties with the Wild.

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (97) is helped off the ice.Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Leipold said today’s Wild are built on firmer ground than during the time Gaborik was around. General manager Bill Guerin leads a stable leadership group, unlike 2009 when Doug Risebrough was fired and Jacques Lemaire stepped down before Gaborik walked.

“Billy’s the guy. He’s the one that does the negotiating,” Leipold said. “We’ve got a great relationship.”

The broader NHL landscape is also quite different. The league now operates under a rising salary cap that has introduced more uncertainty into negotiations across the league, something that Leipold mentioned on Thursday.

“That’s a lot of new money in the system that, frankly, a year or two ago we certainly had no idea was going to be available,” Leipold said. “So, it does change things, but we have to change with it.”

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Wild Owner Dismisses ‘Marian Gaborik 2.0’ Comparisons in Kirill Kaprizov Situation

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