MN Wild Forward Answers the Retirement Question
The Minnesota Wild dropped Game 4 to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night and now find themselves on the brink of postseason elimination heading back to Denver. The series isn’t over but the Wild have quite the mountain to climb now down 3-1.
Whether it’s tomorrow, this weekend, or after a miraculous run to the Stanley Cup, team president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin — who has been named a finalist for General Manager of the Year — will have serious decisions to make this offseason… as will some players.
Like 38-year-old forward Mats Zuccarello, who is playing out the final games of a two-year contract he signed a couple offseasons ago. After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the New York Rangers, Zuccarello has now played seven seasons in Minnesota.
All year, there have been questions surrounding whether or not the one-time undrafted free agent will return for an eighth season beside his best friend and linemate, Kirill Kaprizov.
Mats Zuccarello weighs in on possible retirement
Now that the end is near (hopefully not Wednesday) on the 2025-26 season, those same questions are starting to surface yet again. However, it doesn’t sound like Zuccy has much interest in letting them linger.
Zuccy told The Athletic before Monday’s loss that, even at 38, he has plenty of gas left in the tank — “more years” (plural), as he put it. In other words, we can stop wondering whether or not Kirill’s favorite Norwegian will retire this offseason, because it’s not happening.
“If my body feels good, I feel like I have some more years left in me. But it’s up to contracts and everything like that. It’s not up to me always. So let’s just take this series, hopefully (the) next one, and see how far we go here before we start thinking about that. But, I feel good. I feel like it’s still fun. I’ve always said that. As long as it’s fun, you get to play. The day you lose the fun, then there’s no reason to play anymore.”
Mats Zuccarello – The Athletic
The Wild paid Zuccarello $8.25 million the past two seasons. Over the course of his career, the left winger has racked up $63 million in career earnings. In 2025-26, he played 59 games this season, potting 15 goals, while assisting on 39 more for a total 54 points, matching his tally from one year ago.
Kirill Kaprizov, MN Wild interested in more Zuccarello
It has been apparent, especially in the playoffs, just how important Mats is to what the Wild want to do offensively, especially when it comes to Kirill Kaprizov, who has 11 of his 14 points and all four of his goals this postseason with his best buddy in the lineup.
Guerin told The Athletic that the Wild “always have interest in Zuccy,” and getting a deal done seems logical, if he wants to come back. As long as Kaprizov is here, I’d imagine the MN Wild will be interested in having Zuccarello in the lineup.
The fact that he’s produced nine points in seven playoff games this season shows that the veteran winger still can bring it at a high level. Should Zuccarello return for a 17th season, he’d need just 37 games to reach his 1,000th at the NHL level.
From the sounds of it, his veteran forward is on the same page.
“But I think I’m that kind of guy that it means more to stay, to know the people around you, and you guys. But I’ve always liked to be a loyal guy, and I like to think that when you’re in a place where you really like the people and are part of the community … it’s a little bit more special to me. So, I think that’s just my thought process right now. Let me see. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but right now I think we’re in a good spot.”
Mats Zuccarello – The Athletic
More About:Minnesota Wild
