Mats Zuccarello Ticked Off at Minnesota Wild

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Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) looks on during the game between the Stars and the Wild in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild have been focused on one thing since their 2025-26 season officially came to an end, following a 4-1 second round series loss against the Colorado Avalanche.

Even before it became public knowledge that Dylan Larkin had requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings at the beginning of this month, Wild president of hockey operations Bill Guerin halted his offseason in order to chase the dream of landing Larkin.

There’s only been one move Minnesota has made so far this offseason, while they wait on Detroit GM Steve Yzerman to finally deal his Captain center. Back on June 9, Billy inked Michael McCarron — who was acquired at the trade deadline for a second round pick — to a six-year contract extension.

Guerin’s urgency to sign McCarron took fans and media members by surprise, especially since it put a Mats Zuccarello contract extension on the backburner, where it’s remained ever since.

Mats Zuccarello “ticked off” at Minnesota Wild

That’s not the way Minnesota’s 38-year-old forward wanted (or thought) this offseason would unfold. During his exit press conference with reporters, the 16-year NHL veteran made no doubts over his intentions to return and his willingness to work with Bill Guerin, in order to do so.

So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that, after the Wild never called to start up negotiations, Zuccy is “pretty ticked off” over what’s gone down since the last time he was at TRIA practice facilities in St. Paul, according to Michael Russo and Joe Smith (The Athletic).

According to league sources, granted anonymity to discuss talks that aren’t public, Zuccarello is pretty ticked about how things have gone. So even if the Wild circled back, there’s a very good bet he’d test free agency with so many teams in need of a point-producing winger like him, even though he’ll be 39 by the time next season begins. The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks would both make sense as suitors.

The Athletic

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In other words, it sounds like Kirill Kaprizov‘s best friend and linemate is on his way out of town, unlikely to return even if the Wild do show interest in eventually coming to the negotiating table.

Zuccarello — who scored 15 goals and assisted on 39 more (54 points) in 59 games last season and totalled 389 points over 7 seasons (452 games) in Minnesota — is now determined to test free agency.

So now that their “hometown discount” is out the window, there’s really no chance the Minnesota Wild bring Mats Zuccarello back because they aren’t going to be the highest bidder.

MN Wild ready for Kaprizov to move on from Zuccarello

From the sounds of it, though, the this organization was ready to say goodbye anyway. Per The Athletic’s reports, the Wild were specifically ready to take the Zuccarello pacifier away from Kaprizov.

In fact, they believe doing so will ultimately make Kirill a better hockey player. He will be forced to gain chemistry with other teammates and, the MN Wild hope, some of the “East/West” style hockey out of his game.

It also appears they’re ready to move away from the pairing of him and long-time linemate and good friend Kirill Kaprizov.

The two have been inseparable, with Zuccarello a key mentor in transitioning the Russian superstar into the league. Their on-ice chemistry was special, with Zuccarello assisting on 93 of Kaprizov’s 230 career goals (and nine of his 19 playoff goals).

But the Wild feel Kaprizov relied too heavily on Zuccarello. They want him to start developing chemistry with other players and rid himself of the east-west hockey the elite-passing Zuccarello loves to play.

The Athletic

Can’t really blame Zuccarello for being upset

Even if the Wild were interested in bringing Zuccarello back, we’d probably be in the same spot we are now.

The underlying problem with re-upping Zuccy’s contract at any point before July 1 is that — between the McCarron extension and Billy’s obsession with Dylan Larkin — the Wild have no idea how much money they’ll have to spend on free agents, including their own.

Related: Bill Guerin Wins Most Deflating GM of the Year Award Ever

Nonetheless, you can’t blame the veteran winger for being upset. He went public with his intentions to return, a feeling that appeared mutual at the time. Now, the MN Wild may have to go on with their offseason life anyway, since Yzerman is still holding off on a trade and free agency begins in three days.

Then, just weeks after Guerin said that the Minnesota Wild would “always” have interest in rostering Zuccy, his agent can’t get him to pick up the phone. That’s tough, specially when he probably can’t help but feel like the Wild picked this guy over him…

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