KIRILL KAPRIZOV – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wild Owner: Tone of Hughes Contract Talks ‘Very Positive’

Posted on July 18, 2026July 18, 2026 by David Shama

Last season the Minnesota Wild played like a team that could compete with the best clubs in the NHL. The Wild isn’t a heavy favorite (Hurricanes and Avs) to win the Stanley Cup next year, but Minnesota is keeping company with the top six or so NHL elites.

The Wild’s “window” for the next few seasons looks like the best in franchise history. To keep the “windowpane” clear, the Wild need to retain Quinn Hughes whose contract expires next July.

Wild owner Craig Leipold spoke with Sports Headliners earlier this week and said talks between Hughes’ agent and Wild general manager Bill Guerin began a couple of weeks ago.

“We’re making progress,” Leipold said. “I don’t think there’s anything imminent, but we all know we want to sign him, and we believe he wants to stay here. So, I feel good that there’s going to be a resolution and hopefully he’ll be happy and we’ll be happy but…until it’s done you never know.”

What’s the tone of the conversations?

“Positive. Very positive,” Leipold said. “I mean we are not discouraged at all with the way the conversation has gone. We feel like he wants to play here. He has said that. He liked it here. He likes our team. I mean everybody on the team loves him.

“I really do feel like we’re going to get something done. It’s just a question of how many years will it be. And that will probably be really up to Quinn. How long does he want to stay here?”

Substance of the talks?

“They haven’t really homed in on anything,” Leipold said. “So, I’ve kind of asked the same question of Billy and it’s like: You know, we’re just everything is a brainstorm right now. …Is it eight years? If it’s five years. If it’s three years. So, until they lock into the length of the contract and the amount, Billy and the agent are still talking.”

The 26-year-old Orlando, Florida born Hughes is among the best defensemen in the NHL. His next contract could be a three-year deal at $16 to $18 million average annual value (salary and bonuses). That could move him ahead of Wild superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million.

For years the Wild has been searching for a star centerman who could further increase the team’s chances of bringing the Stanley Cup to Minnesota. Leipold said the commitment is ongoing.

Wild owner Craig Leipold — Craig Leipold

“Absolutely. We have recognized for 10 years that a No. 1 centerman is what we need and we’ve needed it for a long time. We have such a great team and to get a No. 1 centerman is very hard to do and usually you have to draft that person. So, we’d love to fill that position. It would be an important move on our team if we could.”

Red Wings standout center Dylan Larkin wants out in Detroit. He is 29, has a favorable contract at a reported $8.7 million annually and his name has been linked to Minnesota.

“We really can’t comment on it because he’s under contract,” Leipold said. “And honestly, I really know (only) what’s happening based on what I read in the newspaper. I am sure Billy has been talking to (outgoing Detroit boss) Steve Yzerman, but we don’t really discuss that. …He’s under contract and we need to respect that.”

Guerin isn’t reluctant to trade as he’s shown in the past, including the deal that brought Hughes from the Canucks to Minnesota last December. Who might be considered untouchable on the Wild roster regarding a trade?

“Billy and I have never had that conversation,” Leipold answered. “But I could bet…if I were to ask Billy, I think he and I would probably be in agreement with who they would be. Your next question would be, well, who would that be and I wouldn’t answer that.”

Whatever happens this offseason, Wild fans are eager to see more of their team. Leipold said about 95 percent of season tickets have been renewed, right in line with the best percentages in franchise history dating back to the 2000-2001 season. The recent renewal happened even though there was, Leipold said, an increase in all ticket price categories.

Asked about a summer message to fans, the owner said: “…We’re working hard to not just be better but to be elite. That is our goal. We have a really, really great core of players. And as good as the players we have, we want to get better, and if we do get better than we are today, then that makes us an elite team if we can do that. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Leipold purchased a minority stake in the Twins last year. Does he see that expanding?

“I don’t see it right now. I am having a lot of fun in the investment that I have right now—which we’re not publicizing what the investment is, or how much it is.

“But I’ve been to six games. We need more people out there.

“This (team) depth is so exciting right now. It’s fun to go to the games. They’re fast, they’re two hours and 35 minutes on average…about the same as a hockey game. It moves quickly. So, the rule changes they have had, I think have been very positively received.

“But I am really enjoying the experience with (the Pohlad family Twins leader) Tom Pohlad, and what the Twins are doing, and I am excited about baseball. I think it’s a good sport right now to be involved in from an investment standpoint.”

Does Leipold rule out acquiring more of the baseball franchise in the future?

“I wouldn’t rule out anything. We all want to see how the collective bargaining agreement turns out (current agreement ends December 1).”

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Kyler Murray Mystery Maybe Decided Prior to Training Camp

Posted on May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 by David Shama

There is no off-season for Vikings fans. Speculation swirls now on who the Vikings starting quarterback will be in 2026. And when will that be known.

J.J. McCarthy’s disappointing 2025 season and the acquisition in March of Kyler Murray has caused a buzz from Vikings fans. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is on record as wanting competition for the starting job, but it seems reasonable that before Murray signed on as a free agent he was assured of a sold (or better than that) opportunity to be No.1.

After all, the 28-year-old Murray is a seven seasons NFL veteran, while the 23-year-old McCarthy’s pro experience totals one season. Although the Cardinals gave up on Murray, his resume and profile instill optimism among those who want to feel it. In 2019 he was the Pro Football Offensive Rookie of the Year. Twice in his career he was a Pro Bowler.

As the Vikings go through meetings and on field practices prior to the start of training camp (expected in late July) it’s certain O’Connell will learn a lot about what he has in Murray who has underwhelmed as a pro with inconsistent play and injuries.

The coach will see how quickly and effectively his new quarterback picks up the complex Viking offense. That’s no small adjustment for a quarterback who drew past criticism for his study habits with the Cardinals.

Murray will also need to learn how to play more under center than in Arizona where he was in the shotgun formation. O’Connell likes to use his quarterback under center at times to promote play-action as part of his West Coast offense.

That’s not to suggest the head coach and quarterback whisperer won’t tailor some of the offense around his new player. Listed at 5-10 and 207 pounds, Murray has quickness of foot and running ability that can bedevil opponents. Murray will need to show he can become adept with whatever new offensive wrinkles are put in place.

Before training camp there will be minicamp next month where O’Connell will evaluate how the former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback performs with his receivers. That list of pass catchers, of course, includes superstar WR Justin Jefferson who seems to have the head coach’s “ear.”

Then, too, there will be an awareness by O’Connell and his coaches about how Murray is fitting in with his teammates. Does he have rapport with them? Is he emerging as a team leader?

It will be much clearer to the Vikings staff, even before spring turns to summer, what they have in Murray who has a career passing rating of 92.2 which is in the average range. Four times in his career he has thrown for over 3,500 yards. In 2,941 passing attempts he has totaled 121 TD passes with 60 interceptions.

O’Connell may well have a good handle in the next few weeks whether Murray will be his guy and build on his stats and resume in 2026.

Worth Noting

Anthony Edwards after his Timberwolves lost their playoff series in six games to the Spurs: “I mean, I just tip my hat to them. They were just a better team.”

In the 139-109 loss last night to the Spurs at Target Center, Edwards scored a team-high 24 points and had three steals. The 24-year-old’s 17 career playoff games with 20-plus points and 2-plus steals are the fifth most in NBA Playoff history by a player before the age of 25.

The Spurs had a 60-29 rebounding advantage in the blowout win.

Despite losing an overtime series ending game on Wednesday night, Wild fans can be elated about the team’s future. Minnesota lost a 3-1 lead with less than four minutes remaining in regulation against the Avs who went on to win 4-3 in OT in Game 5 of their Stanley Cup second round playoff match up.

Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizove — Kirill Kaprizov

The Wild’s roster is the most talented in franchise history. A quality center and better defensive depth are needed but there’s a lot to like including rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt, and a pair of superstars in forward Kirill Kaprizov and defenseman Quinn Hughes (who ownership is determined to re-sign). This team is among the best in the NHL and a championship window is in place for several years.

The Wild lost to a team that is likely the best in the NHL. A Minnesota nemesis was Avs superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon. He scored the tying goal sending the game into overtime and it was a shot most mortals can’t make.

The Wild can enjoy advancing to the second round for the first time since 2015, defeating a Stars team that is outstanding and delivering a competitive series with the Avs.

Look for the University of Minnesota, including athletic director Mark Coyle and head football coach P.J. Fleck, to make a reasonable and fair decision regarding Drake Lindsey after things are sorted out with the starting quarterback’s reported recent arrest in Arkansas for underage drinking and possessing fake identification. Lindsey, BTW, turns 21 on August 5.

FOX 9 sports reporter and anchor Dawn Mitchell will have a feature on Minnesota sports icon Dick Jonckowski Tuesday with the segment scheduled to air about 10:15 p.m.

Ross Bernstein, the Minnesota-based sports author and nationally sought public speaker, announced good news on LinkedIn earlier this week. He recently had his last chemotherapy treatment and is upbeat about not having a cancer recurrence. He’s been through a 10-month ordeal after doctors discovered tennis ball size tumors in his colon and liver. In college he wanted to play for the hockey Gophers, but when that didn’t work, he became the team’s mascot, Goldy Gopher.

The Capital Club breakfast group will hear about “The Booming Business of Golf” on Wednesday, May 27 at Mendakota Country Club. The sport is experiencing a resurgence locally and nationally. Golf experts Laura Frick, Championship Director KMPG Women’s PGA Championship, Jon Mays, Executive Director Minnesota Golf Association; and Jennifer Hines, Assistant Tournament Director 3M Open, will discuss the trend. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Longtime Creative Charters owner Steve Erban has been flying Golden Gophers fans to games for decades. He’s more than impressed with Niko Medved, who took over as men’s basketball coach about 14 months ago. He’s predicting 14 Minnesota wins on the 20-game regular season schedule for 2026-2027!

The company that started in 1993 will offer its first fan trip to see the football Gophers play Washington in Seattle on September 26. The trip has a lot to offer including a three-hour gameday “Sailgate” on the Spirit of Seattle, with the boat docking near Husky Stadium. The Gophers and Huskies haven’t played each other since 1977.

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Wild Skate, Wolves Hoop but Both on Common Ground

Posted on May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 by David Shama

The Wild be skatin’ against the Avalanche next week, while the Timberwolves will be hoopin’ versus the Spurs. Minnesota’s NHL and NBA teams both advanced to the second round of their playoffs last night by closing out the Stars and Nuggets in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The Wild play on ice in a game invented in Canada while the Wolves play on a hardwood court in a sport created by American James Naismith. It might seem the two franchises have little in common but think again.

From the trivial to the significant, there is common ground:

Both teams won their opening best of seven games playoff series by 4-2 margins. Both did so in raucous arenas that are building reputations this spring as among the loudest in the NHL and NBA.

In beating the Stars, the Wild took down a prize rival from its division that just happens to be the franchise once known as the North Stars and was based in Bloomington until moving to Dallas after the 1992-1993 season. The Nuggets, who have lost in the playoffs to the Wolves twice in the last three years, have an intense rivalry with Minnesota and this spring players from both teams lost their cool on the court.

Both teams advanced in the playoffs with textbook defense. The Stars managed just 15 goals over six games, with Dallas frustrated by Minnesota’s team defense and rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt. The Wild showed why its defense might be the best of any team in the playoffs.

The Wolves held the Nuggets under 100 points in three of the last four games, bothering Denver with their team length and athleticism. Offensive production was slowed and even stopped at times with Jaden McDaniels’ shutdown of Denver All-Star guard Jamal Murray who made four of 17 shots last night. Center Nikola Jokic, revered as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, struggled to score at times because of Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert.

The Wild and Wolves are playing in front of adoring fans who have long known frustration and are treasuring the good times of 2026. Since the Wild’s inception in 2000 this is a franchise that can claim just one deep playoff run, losing in four straight games in the conference finals to the Ducks in 2003. Last night’s win was the first time Minnesota has won its opening playoff series since 2015.

The Wolves have been to the conference finals three times, including twice in the last two years, but the franchise historically has been known more for losing than winning. From 2005-2017 the Wolves didn’t make the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons.

Both franchises have known their ups and downs in front office decision making but now have the right leaders in place. Bill Guerin, hired in 2019, had to escape the financial burden of long-term deals with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter but now has assembled a roster with several players who rank among the NHL’s best. This, of course, includes the in-season acquisition of star defenseman Quinn Hughes who scored two goals last night in the 5-2 victory over the Stars. Guerin also persuaded franchise record setting scorer Kirill Kaprizov to commit long-term to the franchise.

Tim Connelly, hired in 2022, has been calculated but at the right times aggressive in building the Wolves roster. His historic 2022 trade involving players and draft picks with Utah brought defensive savant Gobert to Minneapolis. He also maneuvered a difficult financial situation before the season in 2024, trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in return for two key contributors in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. A savvy in-season 2026 move acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu who is the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs at 21.8 points per game.

Timberwolves owner Marc Lore — Marc Lore

The Wild and Wolves, both expansion franchises, have solid owners. Wild owner Craig Leipold is a personable leader who has plenty of NHL experience, previously owning the Predators and now being the boss in Minnesota. It was Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, when they were minority owners back in 2022, who pushed for hiring Connelly. Sitting at courtside, fans can see the passion of the two men who are now majority owners and reveled in last night’s 110-98 win.

The owners of both franchises are lobbying for improved or new arenas. Leipold hopes to complete a major renovation of Grand Casino Arena that may include money from the Wild, city of St. Paul and state. The Wolves want a new arena in Minneapolis with many details yet to be confirmed.

Both teams are moving on to play second round foes against whom they will be underdogs. The Avalanche is the wagering favorite to win the Stanley Cup. The Spurs are considered by authorities to be second only to the Thunder in likelihood to win the NBA title.

Last evening the Wolves and Wild became the seventh pair of NBA and NHL teams from the same metropolitan area to win out in a seven-game playoff series on the same day, per the Timberwolves PR Department. The duo is the third pair to do it at home and the first twosome to accomplish that in Game 6.

Wild and Wolves play vastly different sports, but the St. Paul and Minneapolis teams have enough in common to be “kissin’ cousins.”

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