Wild – Page 36 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wild Took a “Flyer” on Kirill Kaprizov

Posted on June 7, 2021June 9, 2021 by David Shama

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold recently told Sports Headliners the story of how luck impacted the drafting of Kirill Kaprizov in 2015. The rookie sensation is a finalist for the 2021 NHL Calder Memorial Trophy honoring the league’s best first-year player and he has the potential to become the most decorated performer in Wild franchise history.

Six years ago Chuck Fletcher was the Wild’s GM and his scout in western Russian couldn’t get out of the region on a flight because of smoky skies. With planes neither going out nor coming in, the scout had time to attend local games he wouldn’t have otherwise watched. Leipold said that’s when the scout saw Kaprizov, while other NHL teams didn’t. Although the Wild never scouted him again in person the franchise decided to take a “flyer” on the young forward in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

“We would have liked to have had him come on our team a couple of years earlier but that didn’t work out that way,” Leipold said during a phone interview. “We’re so excited about his future and the things that he can do for our team and our market.”

The 24-year-old Kaprizov captivated the State of Hockey this year with his offensive skill set and electric play, providing Minnesota with long sought scoring while energizing a jaded fan base in search of a hero. He led the Wild and NHL rookies with 51 points in 55 games last season. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound forward also led the team and league rookies in goals, even-strength goals (19), power-play goals (8) and shots on goal (157).

Leipold owned the Nashville Predators prior to buying the Wild franchise. In 23 years of ownership this is the most excited he’s been about a player. “I’ve never seen a player with that kind of vision,” Leipold said.

Kaprizov has impressed with his personality, too. He laughs and smiles a lot, and despite his considerable physical talents is humble. “We’ve got a great kid here,” Leipold said. “I think he’s going to be able to handle the stardom that he is going to get. Our objective is to sign him as long as we can.”

By NHL policy Kaprizov is entitled to a new contract this offseason, although he can’t go to another team like two other forwards of importance to Minnesota, Kevin Fiala and Joel Eriksson Ek. Those two are official NHL restricted free agents, with the Wild unlikely to lose control of them.

“There’s no way that we aren’t going to get them (all three players) signed,” Leipold said. “I think the question is how long will the term be. We’re shooting for the longer the better. We’d like to lock these guys in.”

The Wild had an impressive regular season record going 35-16-5 and although the club had another first round exit from the playoffs, there is a vision about the franchise’s future that sees this team as special. “I really like our position,” Leipold said. “I’ve never felt as positive about any team moving forward as I do about this one.”

Leipold looks at his team and is enthusiastic about the mix of young and veteran players. That group includes 33-year-old goalie Cam Talbot who helped turn around the team after GM Bill Guerin added him to the roster as a free agent last October.

The club’s No. 1 priority during the offseason will be re-signing the three players referenced above but after that the to-do list will include looking for a proven center. Other than the goalie position, NHL teams covet a terrific center. “I say that’s probably pretty high on the shopping list that Billy has, but they don’t come easily and they don’t come cheap,” Leipold said.

It might require the Wild giving up a key player like Fiala to bring a high profile center to Minnesota. That could make passionate Wild fans wince but it’s also the cost of doing business.

Because of the pandemic and restrictions on fans attending games, NHL teams have lost a lot of money. Leipold declined to say how much red ink his franchise has absorbed but emphasized it’s a mega number. Still his position is that the Wild will“look at all the options, whatever it takes to make us a better team.”

The financial losses are mitigated by the $20 million expansion fee that each NHL team is receiving from Seattle. What will be painful, though, is giving up a quality player in the expansion draft. “They’re gonna take a player and they’re gonna get a great player because we are deep,” Leipold said.

Leipold wouldn’t speculate who the Wild will leave unprotected in the expansion draft. Could it be a talent like defenseman Matt Dumba? “Matt Dumba is a great player,” Leipold said. “He’s got a cannon of a shot. We’d like to keep him on our team if we could.”

It will be interesting to see who will be on the roster next season, with a lot of talk about 36-year-old forward Zach Parise. He wasn’t allowed to suit up for three playoff games (a healthy scratch). Leipold is taking a diplomatic approach about the aging star who he signed in 2012 to a 13-year $98 million deal. “I love Zach. I am not going to get into Zach. His work ethic is incredible. I am a Zach fan, but Billy will deicide what players are on the team and (coach) Dean (Evason) decides who plays. …”

The Wild roster last season could well have included center Marco Rossi who was chosen as the ninth player in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Instead the talented Rossi was hit hard by COVID and sidelined. “We knew that he was one of the few players in the draft last year that would have been ready to play this year,” Leipold said.

Rossi’s playmaking could mean he is the Wild’s center of the future but first he faces recovery from COVID. He needs to build strength and stamina, but is known for his work ethic. “We think that will happen,” Leipold said. “It won’t be easy but he’ll make it happen.”

In Evason’s first full season as coach, he proved he deserved the job. Leipold hired Guerin in 2019 and he’s brought changes that turned the team in a better direction including making Evason coach. The pandemic has prevented Leipold from getting to know Evason. “(But) as long as he (Guerin) tells me he’s happy with Dean, I don’t need to pull the onion back anymore. If he’s happy I am happy. And I am happy with Billy so I think I am in a very fortunate situation.”

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3M Open Pursuing Phil Mickelson

Posted on May 26, 2021 by David Shama

Phil Mickelson is the biggest name in sports this week after becoming the oldest player ever to win a major golf championship on Sunday. Hollis Cavner, who runs the 3M Open, is optimistic the 50-year-old Mickelson will be part of the field at TPC Twin Cities July 22-25.

What are the odds? “I’d say very good,” Cavner told Sports Headliners.

Cavner and his company run various golf tournaments in the United States. He and his team are on the road much of the year recruiting players including the now hottest golf name in the world. So far Mickelson is noncommittal about the 3M, a regular stop on the PGA Tour. “He’s pretty direct,” Cavner said.

Cavner and Mickelson have a long friendship. In 2010 the two played together in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with Cavner participating as an amateur. “He’s a helluva good guy,” Cavner said.

That relationship will be helpful in continuing to pitch Mickelson but winning the PGA Championship Sunday is a game changer for “Lefty’s” schedule. Cavner said Mickelson might receive an invitation to play for the U.S. in the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in late July and early August. Even if that doesn’t happen, the British Open is just a week before the 3M. He won the Open in 2013 and his appearance in Scotland would be important to his international fame and brand.

Mickelson’s life is a whirlwind now and over the next few weeks with various requests including TV and personal appearances. Cavner said Mickelson will be “inundated” with opportunities after shocking the golf world by winning the PGA. He entered the tournament ranked 115 in the world and Fox Bet had him at 400-to-1 odds to win in Kiawah, South Carolina at the Ocean Course.

Cavner runs the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte. He saw Mickelson in comeback mode at his tournament. With a slimmer and stronger body, more relaxed mental approach and willingness to play safer shots, Mickelson was re-engaged.

He was on a mission to improve his performance the week of the Wells Fargo, with Cavner observing Mickelson “working his butt off” in practice hitting buckets and buckets of balls at the range. “…He was really working on his game that week and I guarantee he beat more balls that week than anybody out there,” Cavner said.

Mickelson shot a round of 64 at the Wells Fargo and although he didn’t win the tournament, the resurgence in his game was evident to insiders. “He was gearing for this (excelling at the PGA),” Cavner said.

Sunday was remarkable, with Mickelson shocking the sports world at almost 51 years of age and winning his first golf major event since 2013. “He is so driven to be good,” Cavner said. “He doesn’t want to be second ever. He’s always been that way. When you’re that good, some people are going to love you, some people are not.”

Critics have said Mickelson is cocky but Cavner doesn’t see it that way and views his friend as a great athlete who believes in himself and has done a lot to help others including through charity. “It wasn’t cocky. He was good at what he did, and he knew it and he tried to prove it every week,” Cavner said.

Cavner can see Mickelson contending for more major titles this year and in 2022. “If he continues to play like he is, it wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Cavner said.

In his 40s Mickelson didn’t want other players to hit longer off the tee than he did. The result was trouble on the fairways, sometimes hitting 50 yards off target. “It hurt his game,” Cavner said. “Now he’s dialed it back. (But) he’s still hitting it tremendously long.”

Mickelson has now won six majors, something that will secure his place on the Mount Rushmore of golf legends. “He’s definitely in the top 12 of all time,” Cavner said.

Ticket sales via the 3M Open website were to Cavner’s liking even before Mickelson’s historic Sunday. Despite possible COVID restrictions, crowds of 20,000 per day are predicted. With or without Mickelson, the tournament field will have appeal.

“There’s a lot of guys who played in the PGA Championship that are coming,” Cavner said. “Some of them that were on the leader board (at the PGA) in the last couple days.”

Worth Noting

A hockey authority, speaking anonymously, sees the Minnesota Wild as “50-50” in earning a win tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights. A win ties Minnesota and Vegas at three games each in the best of seven playoff series. The source believes the Wild need to take an early lead to win the game at Xcel Energy Center. “I don’t see them coming from behind to win. They need momentum out of the gate.”

The Wild received an unexpected lift from veteran Zach Parise in Monday night’s win. He scored a goal after mostly being a non-contributor of late. “They need a spark (tonight) like Parise,” the source said.

Don’t be surprised if Parise is playing elsewhere next season.

With COVID-19 restrictions, the Wild has been limited to 4,500 fans for first round playoff games. That might translate to about $450,000 in gross ticket receipts, much different than capacity crowds generating revenue of $1.2 to $1.5 million. If Minnesota could advance to the second round of the playoffs and stage sellouts, it would help the franchise’s finances that have taken a major hit because of the pandemic.

Deep condolences to Mike Wilkinson following the death Sunday of wife Susan Wilkinson, 76, who struggled for years with muscular dystrophy and asthma. Mike is a passionate Golden Gophers football follower and author of the Murray Warmath biography, The Autumn Warrior.

The Minnesota Twins, a preseason favorite to be 2021 AL champions, are No. 26 in MLB.com’s latest power rankings of 30 teams.

Speculation: Tampa Bay Rays interested in acquiring Twins’ Nelson Cruz; Toronto Blue Jays looking at Minnesota’s Jose Berrios.

Outfielder Matt Wallner, the Forest Lake, Minnesota native, is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week. The 23-year-old played in six games last week for Single-A Cedar Rapids, hitting .400 (10-for-25) with two home runs and four RBI, including a four-hit game on Thursday against Beloit. He was drafted by the Twins in the first round (39th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi.

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Vikings to Pick O-Lineman, But Wait

Posted on April 26, 2021April 26, 2021 by David Shama

Mock NFL Drafts have the Minnesota Vikings choosing an offensive lineman with their No. 14 first round selection Thursday night. “I would go offensive lineman, there is no doubt about that,” agreed former Viking Bob Lurtsema.

Lurtsema, who still follows the team with passion, was asked about taking the best player regardless of position. “I’d go best offensive lineman (available),” he answered.

That could be Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw who has excelled at the offensive line position the Vikings need the most help at, left tackle. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, with limited mobility, needs a stud left tackle to protect his blind side and Darrisaw’s athleticism is impressive.

No guarantee, though, Darrisaw will be available when the Vikings make their first round pick. It’s a possibility he will, with as many as five quarterbacks expected to eat up draft slots early in the draft. Oregon’s Penei Sewell is the most coveted offensive lineman in the draft and almost certain not to be available to the Vikings unless Minnesota moves up the draft board with a trade.

Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker could both be available to Minnesota. Both have shorter arms than ideal, with Slater’s arm extension measured at 33 inches and Vera-Tucker’s 32⅛, per NFL.com. Lurtsema said his long arms were a key in his playing 12 years on the defensive line in the NFL. Extra extension is important for offensive and defensive linemen, with the man in control able to move a foe like the guy is on roller skates. “You’ve got total control,” Lurtsema said.

Darrisaw’s arm length is 34¼ inches, but neither he, Slater or Vera-Tucker may be Minnesota’s preferred selection in the first round. Vikings’ needs include an edge rusher to pair with Danielle Hunter, or even replace the talented defensive end if Minnesota can’t meet future contract expectations. Although the Vikings have given extra attention to adding defensive personnel in the offseason, they still might pass on an offensive lineman to take Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye.

Paye has the kind of athleticism and explosive style that excites both fans and scouts. He has also been praised for his work ethic and leadership. Although his football playing experience is limited and fundamentals need to improve, he might be too much for defensive-minded Vikings coach Mike Zimmer to pass up.

Worth Noting

Gophers Rashod Bateman and Benjamin St-Juste could go in the first and third rounds respectively. Wide receiver Bateman impresses with his route running, while St-Juste has the long arms not common for cornerbacks.

Sports Illustrated notes that Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago was the first player selected in the inaugural NFL Draft 85 years ago but never played in the league because he wanted to try out for the Olympic Decathlon team and he “could make more money as a foam rubber salesman.”

Jeff Diamond, the former Vikings GM, offers his NFL expertise on TalkNorth.com podcasts. Diamond, who started with the Vikings as an intern, also was president of the Tennessee Titans.

An NHL authority, speaking anonymously, said Minnesota Wild rookie scoring sensation Kirill Kaprizov has “(Wayne) Gretzky traits behind the net.” Kaprizov excels there in setting up goals and points, just like the “The Great One,” the source said. He’s not suggesting Kaprizov is another Gretzky but he is impressed how the young Russian has transitioned to success on the ice in the NHL.

Kaprizov has fit in with the team’s culture, too. His affable manner makes him a comfortable teammate to be around. Another player with his talent could be a prima donna but Kaprizov, who turns 24 today, is the opposite.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, with a season record of 17-44, are 5-6 since enigmatic guard D’Angelo Russell returned to the team from injury April 5. With a new hair-do and improved play, the talented Russell is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds since his return.

Russell scored 23 points in Minnesota’s win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City Saturday night. The Wolves are 2-0 against the Jazz this season, even though Utah has the best record in the NBA at 44-16. Wagering money will be on a Jazz win tonight (Monday) when the teams meet in Minneapolis.

FanSided’s “way-too-early” Big Ten basketball power rankings for next season have coach Ben Johnson’s Gophers No. 12, ahead of Northwestern and Nebraska.

Admirers of legendary coach John Anderson (40 years into leading the Golden Gophers baseball program) are hoping he and athletic director Mark Coyle will soon announce details about a new multiyear contract. The all-time winningest baseball coach in Big Ten history and a high character leader, Anderson is in the last year of his contract.

That was 82-year-old former Minnesota Twin Tony Oliva, a .304 lifetime hitter, taking his golf clubs to a suburban Minneapolis driving range last week.

The Twins, in their 60th season based in Minnesota, had an exasperating loss for the ages last Wednesday against the Athletics in Oakland. The A’s scored an improbable 13-12 walk-off win in the 10th inning without a base hit. A pair of two-out walks and a mishandled game-ending ground ball by Minnesota second baseman Travis Blankenhorn loaded the bases before a throwing error by third baseman Luis Arraez allowed the winning run to score. A Sports Headliners reader and Twins fan described the mess as a “top 10 loss” in franchise history.

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