CSKA Moscow is Out of the Picture and Kaprizov + Wild Contract Talks are Heating Up

Photo: Nick Wosika - USA TODAY Sports

For those of us Minnesota Wild fans who think Kirill Kaprizov is a celestial being sent to finally save the State of Hockey from its destitute past void of Stanley Cups, it’s been sweaty-palm kind of summer. His agent has taken full advantage of the negotiating power bestowed upon elite-level talent and even threatened to take Kaprizov’s talents back to Russia.

But the CSKA Moscow threat appears to have faded into soviet history and, according to Michael Russo of the Athletic, contract negotiations between Bill Guerin and Kirill’s representatives are as hot as they have been in a long time.

Details and deadline

Most of those “in the know”, like Russo, have been pretty adamant about how this offseason drama ends. They expect Kirill Kaprizov to be in a Minnesota Wild sweater when the puck drops on the start of the NHL season later this fall. Now, without Moscow in the picture, he can’t play anywhere else either.

The questions, however, still surround the length of time Kaprizov will sign for and when a deal might finally get consummated. We don’t yet know the answer to either of those questions but we know what both sides want. Kirill’s side is looking for less years and more money. The Wild are willing to pay up, but they want the contract term to stretch as long as possible.

Guerin would be happy with five or more years and probably settle for four, if he had to. Anything that’s three years or less would be a major disappointment and lead to trade rumors again next offseason. With training camps starting in about a month, I’d imagine both sides want to get something done in the next couple of weeks.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Mentioned in this article:

More About: