P.J. FLECK – Page 3 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wild Contract Sit Down with Kaprizov Coming in September

Posted on August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Sunday notes column.

Wild owner Craig Leipold told Sports Headliners superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov has been out of the country this summer but in person conversation will start next month regarding a contract extension. Leipold and general manager Bill Guerin will meet with Kaprizov who signed a five-year contract in 2021 and is eligible for an extension.

The Wild leaders have already communicated proposed contract information to Kaprizov. “All signs indicate we’re not that far apart,” Leipold said. “He’s in Russia (and) we’re going to wait until he comes back here. Let’s hope we can get something done before the season has started.”

Leipold said the Wild will offer an eight-year extension but wouldn’t identify a dollar amount. Kaprizov, 28, is among the NHL’s elite goal scorers and his next contract is certain to reflect that. Online speculation has Kaprizov receiving $14 to $15 million per season on a new deal that might make him the highest paid player in the NHL for at least a short time.

Kaprizov can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but Leipold made it clear the Wild are determined to keep him in Minnesota. The owner said he and Guerin talk all the time about the face of the franchise.

Leipold also said the Wild will continue to request financial support from the state of Minnesota for major renovations to Grand Casino Arena. Disappointed with funding efforts during the last legislative session, the Wild will now pursue $100 million from the state, plus use $200 million each from the team and city of St. Paul/Ramsey County, to spend $500 million in improvements for the 25-year-old facility. Plans are on hold for updates to the St. Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Marc-André Fleury, the Wild’s veteran goalie who retired after last season, is a Leipold favorite. Fleury, a native of Canada, is building a home in the metro area, where he and his wife will raise their family.

Leipold said Guerin “has made it known to him that we’d love to have him involved (with the organization)” when Fleury decides on his post-playing career direction.

“He is such a persona,” Leipold said of Fleury. “He is so well thought of (and) people just love this man. His family is a wonderful, beautiful family and they’re going to be a big part of the Twin Cities for many, many years. …We think that’s pretty cool.”

Pro football is a billion-dollar business with millions dedicated to scouting players. That doesn’t mean with all the technology and scouts mistakes aren’t made. The sleuths blew it, for example, in not drafting former Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer.

All 32 NFL teams passed on him last spring in the seven-round draft before the Vikings signed him as a free agent. He has wowed in training camp with his work ethic, inquisitive nature, ability to process information and decision making including under game pressure.

If he doesn’t make the team’s 53-man roster to be announced Tuesday, it will be stunning. And if he is cut by the Vikings, it’s certain another team will snatch him up as a free agent.

In last Friday night’s final exhibition game Brosmer out played his presumed rival for the third quarterback spot on the roster. Brosmer completed 15 of 23 passes, including a touchdown throw, while compiling 161 yards. Brett Rypien was seven of 14 for 62 yards, and threw an interception.

He could make the Minnesota roster as an under-the-radar rookie story that is already drawing some comparisons to Brock Purdy, the former Iowa State star who wasn’t selected until the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” for his draft position, he has been starting for the 49ers since his rookie season.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” Golden Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said on KFAN Radio recently about Brosmer’s splash this summer. “That kid is going to play in the NFL for 10 or 12 years. I really believe that.

“I’ve never been around a quarterback that processes the way he processes. …I am thinking when you look long term this isn’t a kid that you want to just let go and let some other team develop him and next thing you know you’re playing against him. …”

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings sort out their special teams decisions. Last season their 24.4 yards per return of kickoffs was second lowest in the NFL, while the 6.8 average on punt returns ranked last.

The Vikings got a setback when Rondale Moore, a free agent acquisition, was lost for the season earlier this summer with a knee injury. He could have contributed (perhaps dramatically) on both punt and kickoff returns.

Ryan Wright, the team’s punter the last two seasons, has been challenged in training camp by Australian newcomer Oscar Chapman. The punter puts the football in place for field goal kicker Will Reichard and Chapman didn’t help his standing when he mishandled the football on a Reichard kick Friday night.

Fleck also said on KFAN that Syracuse transfer Brady Denaburg, who will have one season of eligibility with the Gophers, will handle field goals. He won the assignment in a competition with true freshman Daniel Jackson who also ran track at Alexandria High School and has a personal best time of 10.65 in the 100 meters. Fleck teased that could prompt “fake” punts in the future, taking advantage of Jackson’s speed.

Former UCLA punter Brody Richter, who will have two seasons of eligibility with Minnesota, and Aussie native Tom Weston, with three seasons of eligibility ahead after transferring from Ouachita Baptist, are in a close competition for the starting punting job.

The Twins are on course to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Concerns about the organization include the collective work of president Derek Falvey and his staff in being productive in trades, free agent signings and development of talent inside the organization.

A disturbing trend, for example, is young players who initially excel with the Twins in the big leagues but falter after rivals figure out strengths and weaknesses. The poster boy for that is Royce Lewis who a couple of years ago was a candidate for the face of baseball but since has declined dramatically in production.

Not only is his batting average a lowly .233 but his power is minimal with only eight home runs. Are Twins coaches effective in helping players like Lewis, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach and Austin Martin make adjustments?

Something else to ponder: why is Falvey not only president on the baseball side, but also leading business operations? Is that too much of a workload for one person?

With a run scored Friday night against the White Sox, Byron Buxton became the third player in Twins history to reach 500+ runs, 150+ home runs, 100+ stolen bases and 400+ RBI in a career with Minnesota. The others are Kirby Puckett and Torii Hunter.

Minneapolis-based attorney Marshall Tanick wrote a timely and comprehensive article for the Minnesota Lawyer publication that details the late Hulk Hogan’s tie to Minnesota and litigation over the years involving professional wrestling. Tanick recounts litigation involving Hogan, Jesse Ventura and others as he takes on the “legal lore of wrestling in this state.”

The former sports editor of the Minnesota Daily is not only an attorney but a prolific journalist whose articles are seen frequently in various publications.

Happy birthday to football lifer and former Golden Gophers coach Jerry Kill who turns 64 today.

Sending best wishes to former Golden Gophers basketball guard Melvin Newbern as he faces health challenges.

Tommies men’s basketball will play old MIAC rival Saint John’s on December 11 at the new UST Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. Their last game was in 2021.

Phil Esten, UST vice president and director of athletics, told Sports Headliners earlier this month that public season tickets for men’s basketball have increased from about 200 to the 400 range as the Tommies get ready for their first season in the arena. Students are admitted free to the arena that will seat over 5,000 for basketball.

The Lindenwood (St. Charles, Missouri) football program that started Division I competition in 2022 plays at St. Thomas Thursday night in the opener for both teams. The Lions will play at Minnesota in 2027.

The MIAC league office reported the MIAC Sports Network has for two consecutive years streamed more than 1,000 conference events, generating more than one million uploads across all platforms. The network app can be found and installed free by searching MIAC Sports Network on various devices, or at https://miacsportsnetwork.com/

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WR Jalen Smith Could Be Breakout Performer for Gophers

Posted on August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 by David Shama

Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck, once a college football wide receiver himself, has developed some standouts at the position including Corey Davis at Western Michigan, and Rashod Bateman, Tyler Johnson and Daniel Jackson at Minnesota.

Now the Gophers may have another star in the making. Redshirt freshman Jalen Smith from Mankato West could be a breakout player this season after an initial year when he mostly practiced and watched from the sidelines. He is also coached at Minnesota by veteran wide receivers coach Matt Simon.

Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. raves about the former three-star prospect who is listed on the roster at 6-1, 195 pounds. “The sky’s the limit,” he said of Smith who has top-end speed and is a fluid athlete who can gain separation in the open field.

Harbaugh praised Smith’s offseason work ethic and the results of making plays in practice. He loves the young receiver’s “maturation process.”

While in high school Smith and quarterback Drake Lindsey got to know each other during recruiting. That has grown into a relationship that should benefit the Gophers as Lindsey, an Arkansas native, moves in as the starting quarterback.

“I am looking forward to seeing him play,” Harbaugh said of Smith who projects to be part of a rebuilt receiver corps that Fleck likes. Fleck (head coach since 2017) added that this group of wide receivers “has a chance to be one of our best units we’ve ever had here.”

There are multiple wide receivers who could emerge as top performers including Smith and senior Le’Meke Brockington who Fleck praises for his skills and leadership. “I talk to the NFL scouts all the time about Le’Meke. I mean, this guy is…close to a 12-foot broad jumper, (has) over a 40-inch vertical. He’s gonna run really fast. He’s a 700-pound squatter. He’s a great blocker, he can fly. So, it’s been fun to watch him lead that entire unit.”

Brockington started last season, but two other regulars are gone, Jackson and Elijah Spencer having used up their eligibility. So, there’s a lot of competition among wide receivers in training camp as the Gophers prepare for their season opener August 28 against Buffalo.

Worth Noting

Lindsey will be starting his first game for the Gophers against Buffalo, one of the favorites to win the Mid-American Conference. There will likely be adversity for Lindsey in that game, and certainly during the season, but Harbaugh said, “nothing really rattles him.”

No unit may have more to do with Minnesota’s success this season than the offensive line. It’s mostly a new group from 2024 that is in transition, but Harbaugh said the line has been “gelling” of late.

The running backs can help that line look effective. The Gophers return Darius Taylor, an All-Big Ten prospect, and have added transfers A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cam Davis (Washington). The speedy and elusive Turner averaged a nation’s best 8.3 yards per carry for runners with over 100 rushing attempts. Davis is an experienced player to say the least—now in his seventh year of college football. Redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi has impressed with his toughness.

Harbaugh said this is a versatile backfield group. “I feel very comfortable with any of the four guys out there. They can do a lot of different things, but they’re also different at the same time.”

With Danny Striggow departing at rush end because of eligibility expiring, multiple players could see time at the position. Defensive coordinator Danny Collins said redshirt sophomores Jaxon Howard and Karter Menz figure into plans, with Howard’s physicality apparent and Menz’s speed for pass rushing.

Collins is starting his first season as defensive coordinator but his relationship with Fleck goes back 13 years to when the two were at Western Michigan. A go-getter, Collins was at first an unpaid staffer and worked at FedEx to earn money.

“Coach Fleck took me under his wing at a very young age. He saw the vision that I had for myself and he wanted me to get that vision. …I mean I would run through the wall for coach Fleck.”

Preseason All-American safety Koi Perich will also play offense and perhaps return punts. It seems likely Perich will be given some time off on defense. Collins said he will adapt to the circumstances and that his safety roster is the deepest in the Big Ten, “if not in the country.”

Perich, a true sophomore, could be earning more money than anyone on the team now that players receive both revenue sharing from athletic departments and outside income form Name, Image and Likeness. “He has such intentionality with his money, and he’s already thinking 10, 20, 30 years down the road,” Fleck said. “He’s already thinking about the sports facility he wants to open and then franchise. He’s just an elite thinker.”

Congratulations to longtime Gopher boosters Lee and Louise Sundet who will have their 74^th wedding anniversary next week.

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Vikings Reserve QB Roster Battles Command Attention

Posted on August 10, 2025August 10, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Sunday notes column.

J.J. McCarthy is rock solid as the Viking starting quarterback but better believe the jockeying for status behind him is a competitive situation.

McCarthy played briefly in the first quarter of Saturday’s opening preseason game, a 20-10 win over the Texans in Minneapolis. Head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated after the game he was more than satisfied with how his 22-year-old leader ran the offense.

Before the first quarter was over Sam Howell relieved McCarthy. Then later in the game the Vikings turned to another veteran, Brett Rypien, before having rookie Max Brosmer finish up.

Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards. Rypien was 1 of 4 for six yards while Brosmer, 5 of 8 for 47 yards, threw the lone Minnesota touchdown pass of the game.

O’Connell thought Brosmer “did a pretty darn good job coming in…and putting the ball in the end zone there.” Brosmer had a 118.2 rating, the highest of the Viking quarterbacks.

Minnesota may decide to keep Brosmer on the 53-man roster to start the season. Whether it’s been FCS New Hampshire, the Big Ten Golden Gophers or the Vikings, the likeable and football savvy Brosmer attracts admirers. Don’t be surprised if the eventual QB roster looks like this: No. 1 McCarthy, No. 2 Howell and Brosmer No. 3, with Rypien cut from the team.

If the Vikings don’t place Brosmer on their roster they take a major risk of another team picking him up.

McCarthy said this about Brosmer earlier in training camp: “Max is the man. Just super detail oriented, works his butt off. I can’t say enough good things about that guy. He is just an awesome human being. …”

Ben Solak, writing for ESPN earlier this month, ranked the Vikings coaching staff No. 1 among the 32 NFL teams. Solak’s approach was to evaluate not only the head coach, but also analyze offensive and defensive coordinators. He is especially an admirer of O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“O’Connell has easily leaped into that utmost echelon of offensive designers, and Flores remains the cream of the defensive crop,” Solak wrote. “There are always little things to wonder about– scheming for a rookie is different from scheming for a veteran, even if that veteran had never been successful elsewhere — but there is no doubt that O’Connell & Co. elevate players more than any other coaching staff in football.”

David Hale, writing recently for ESPN.com on college football, placed the football Gophers among five under the radar teams who may exceed expectations. “Not counting the 2020 COVID-19 season, Minnesota is one of just 15 teams to win 60 percent of its Power 5 games. That’s more impressive than it sounds. It’s better than Washington, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miami and Texas A&M.

“The Gophers enter 2025 with a ton of intriguing options led by Koi Perich and Darius Taylor, and while the schedule includes road trips to Ohio State and Oregon, there’s certainly a path for P.J. Fleck to get Minnesota back to the 10-win plateau (last achieved in 2019).”

The Twins try to win their three-game series at home today against the Royals who Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli has a 60-42 career record against. That’s his most victories over any team.

University of St. Thomas Athletic Director Phil Esten will be joined by head men’s basketball coach Johnny Tauer and men’s hockey coach Rico Blasi at a meeting of the Capital Club at Mendakota Country Club on August 27. They will discuss UST’s transition from DIII to DI, the new campus arena, NIL and potential competition with the Gophers. More information about the club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Twin Cities Business has honored Patrick as one of 25 Notable Marketing Leaders for 2025 for his work on behalf of clients.

Tomorrow, August 11, will be the 22^nd anniversary of Herb Brooks’ death in a car accident. The legendary hockey coach’s gravesite at Roseville’s Roselawn Cemetery is frequently visited by admirers who remember his extraordinary career that included the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at the Olympics.

Former Viking and NFL Hall of Famer John Randle will be the celebrity golfer tomorrow at the Ben & Adith Miller Golf Classic benefitting the Winona Health Foundation. The event will be at the Cedar Valley Golf Course in Winona.

Former Hopkins superstar Paige Bueckers is a huge favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. Playing for the Dallas Wings (8-23 record), Bueckers is averaging 18.6 points per game, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds from her guard position.

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