The Minnesota Wild are in the middle of what could be a turning point for the entire franchise. After reports of star winger Kirill Kaprizov rejecting a contract offer that would make him the highest paid player in the NHL and net him a cool $128 million — general manager Bill Guerin swiftly denied these reports — now wheels are spinning as to what this means.
Does Kaprizov want to continue playing for the Wild? Is it the city? Is it the roster? Is he just playing hardball for a shorter-term contract?
After all of this moaning and groaning about the best player we have known to play hockey in this city, a rumor from some Russian sources stated that the Wild asked Kaprizov to provide them his trade list. Since the 28-year-old forward has a full no-movement clause in this last year of his deal, he’s calling the shots if he were to be traded.
While it makes sense to do this if the Wild were thinking of trading him, according to Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson, these rumors are slightly premature.
The possibility that they will do that eventually has not been ruled out, since they will need to do that, but for the time being, all Minnesota is focused on is keeping Kaprizov in St. Paul. And potentially to wrap this up before the season kicks off on October 9.
- The Wild are starting to get a pretty deep prospect pool and two young players are feeling the pressure to perform with all the fresh talent added to the pipeline. [Hockey Wilderness]
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts: The Podcast mentions that there are teams willing to pay Kaprizov more than the reported contract offer of $16 million per year. [Sportsnet]
Off the trail…
- The NHL is closer to finalizing the details surrounding the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. [NHL.com]
- Connor Hellebuyck is not worried about repeating his standout season as the reigning Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner. “Expectations kill.” Okay, chill goalie man. [TheScore]
- Projecting and debating the Olympic rosters for U.S. and Canada. [ESPN]