Guerin denies contract talks with Kaprizov have stalled

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin refuted speculation Saturday that contract negotiations with star forward Kirill Kaprizov have stalled.

"We've never cut off (contract) talks," Guerin said, per NHL.com's Jessi Pierce. "It's not like we're talking every day, but there's nothing that's been cut off or dried up or anything like that. It's just an ongoing process.

"Sometimes it takes three days. Sometimes it takes three months. ... But we have plans to talk next week. It has not gone cold, contrary to what some people have reported."

Guerin added: "We have plans to really get going."

Kaprizov is an impending restricted free agent. He's not eligible for an offer sheet as he's only played one NHL campaign.

Minnesota drafted Kaprizov 135th overall in 2015, but he spent the following five seasons in the KHL before coming to North America. Kaprizov claimed the Calder Trophy this past campaign after leading all freshmen in goals (27) and points (51).

The Wild have just over $16 million in cap space this offseason, according to CapFriendly, after they inked Joel Eriksson Ek to an eight-year, $42-million contract Friday. In addition to Kaprizov, Minnesota also plans to sign another impending RFA forward in Kevin Fiala.