Before the start of the 2024-25 season, things got interesting between the Minnesota Wild and their superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild wanted more from their star player, while speculation began to rise that Kaprizov might find interest in one day leaving the North Star State.

The Wild made it clear they would do everything in their power to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota, but he still had to bring his best. With 21 points (7G-14A) in 11 games, it’s safe to say Kaprizov is at the top of his game.

Eligible for a contract extension at the end of the season, the Wild won’t have much choice but to give Kaprizov whatever dollar amount he desires. According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, it’s going to be a huge number.

“When I say I think he’s going to be in the [Auston] Matthews, [Leon] Draisaitl range, I believe that,” Friedman said. “I think this guy is going to be one of the top-paid players in the league.”

At $13.25 million, Matthews is currently the highest-paid player in the NHL by average annual value. Come 2025-26, Draisaitl will take over with a $14 million salary.

Draisaitl’s teammate, Connor McDavid, is also eligible for a contract extension after the 2024-25 season, and he will no doubt become the highest-paid player in the NHL. That doesn’t mean Kaprizov won’t be in the conversation, though.

At 27 years old, Kaprizov already makes $9 million annually, the Wild have stated no one will be able to pay more than them, and he’s playing like a player worthy of a top three contract in the NHL.

 The Wild also can’t let Kaprizov hit the open market. They’ll need to step up and sign the extension a year in advance to save themselves a bidding war.

“The Wild know,” Friedman said. “A, if he hits the market, everyone is going to be chasing after him. And B, he’s that important to their franchise.”

In 289 career games with the Wild, Kaprizov has put up 167 goals and 184 assists for 351 total points. Even after a slow start to the 2023-24 season, he still managed 46 goals and 96 total points.

Kaprizov is tied for the league lead in scoring with his 21 points, and just recently saw a seven-game streak of multiple points come to an end. His production this year is already through the roof and the Wild are hoping it leads to great success.

The Wild might not have the greatest chance of winning the Stanley Cup, but Kaprizov sure keeps them hovering around the conversation, especially as they build the team around him.

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The Indianapolis Colts are trying the patience of their fans.

After a tumultuous week with a quarterback change, all their offensive issues remain. They produced a season-low 227 yards and didn’t run a play in the red zone Sunday night in a 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Joe Flacco, starting in place of Anthony Richardson, couldn’t get the offense moving, and questions abound.

From Nate Atkins: Flacco doesn’t look like the answer to reaching the playoffs

From Joel A. Erickson: New quarterback, same result. Flacco can’t produce

Colts fans react to loss to Vikings

Saturday was supposed to be a new beginning for No. 24 Illinois, but Minnesota and coach P.J. Fleck didn’t receive the script. Before the Illini (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) move on to Week 11 and a home matchup against Michigan State, let’s take a glance at how they fared and identify some areas of improvement.

Running back Josh McCray (72 rushing yards on just seven carries vs. Minnesota) is the only Illini ball carrier right now who can make something out of nothing. Too often, that’s exactly what he’s left to do. The Illini continue to produce decent-to-good rushing numbers – but almost in spite of themselves, rather than as a matter of dedication or execution. Based on the design of this team, Illinois is reliant on a steady, reliable run game. Just maybe don’t hold your breath.

Pat Bryant likely wasn’t himself. Zakhari Franklin got banged up. Minnesota uncharacteristically dialed up its blitz packages, and although Illinois’ pass protection was at times fantastic, it made quarterback Luke Altmyer skittish on the plays when it wasn’t. But these aren’t excuses that good teams make for themselves. Too little consistency and too many missed opportunities.

There are bright spots – Bryant is a beast in this phase, for example – but they are mostly random and inconsequential when they aren’t put together on a consistent basis. It sounds overly simplistic to say that the Illini need to put helmets on helmets to create more and better ground gains on first and second downs, which would help their efforts to keep Altmyer upright, but it really is that simple. Illinois is just getting beat up front too often.

Throw out a couple of big running plays for Minnesota and Illinois did a bang-up job here Saturday. Unfortunately, those big plays – like Gophers running back Darius Taylor’s 29-yard touchdown run – still count. The Illini D is always going to perform better against the run when it has leverage (notably, fresh legs and a lead), but you can’t always get what you want.

All things considered, this area was a highlight for Illinois in Week 10. Defensive back Xavier Scott was injured in the second half, but the Illini secondary (almost) didn’t miss a beat while he convalesced – and they did it with little help from the pass rush. One wonders what the results would look like if defensive coordinator Aaron Henry sent extra pressure more often, especially with Illinois’ offense struggling to create enough big plays of its own.

The Illini continue to excel here, particularly whenever kicker David Olano takes the field. That’s no knock on Ethan Moczulski, who gave it the old college try on a booming 55-yard field-goal attempt (which had the leg but missed wide) at the end of the first half. Nor is it an implication of punter Hugh Robertson, whose hang times have been down lately but who pinned Minnesota’s offense at its own 2-yard line with a 53-yard punt and stuck another inside the 20. Cover teams were rock-solid as usual.

Harsh? Maybe. But consider it a compliment that the bar has been raised in Champaign. Bielema and his staff had some bright moments Saturday, including when the head coach successfully argued his case against a timeout that was inaccurately called on Illinois in a key moment and on well-managed drives to end both halves that scraped together scoring chances out of chicken scratch. But the Illini needed this game to recover from the Oregon loss and, ultimately, to get where they believe they’re going. But neither the play-calling nor the execution were up to snuff. Everyone on the home sideline came up at least a little short Saturday.

Big Ten Football Week 11 Power Rankings: Illinois Falls, Indiana Rises

Instant Analysis: Illinois Falls to Minnesota, 25-17

Illinois Football vs. Minnesota: Week 10 Postgame Injury Updates

‘Clown Show’: Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Calls Out Officiating