The Minnesota Wild have entered a critical offseason, able to fully participate in free agency again after two years of significant salary cap constraints.Without an NHL playoff series win in the last 10 years,

There’s probably not a person in the Minnesota Wild organization who knows Kirill Kaprizov more than Mats Zuccarello. They’ve shared a bromance for years, on the ice as linemates and off of it. The Russian superstar is known as “Uncle Kirill” to Zuccarello’s two kids.

Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, 28, is eligible to sign an eight-year extension starting July 1 when he will start his final season under contract. General manager Bill Guerin made it clear during the end-of-season media availability held Tuesday that the franchise's top priority is to keep him in Minnesota for the long haul.