Kirill Kaprizov (Image Via Twitter) This may just be among the biggest contract decisions in franchise history as Kirill Kaprizov mulls over his future. Reports come in that the star right winger panned an eight-year extension promising him $128 million, the top pay in the NHL. The pressure on Minnesota is now mounting as the current deal expires in July of next year, and he will almost be an unrestricted free agent by then. Fans and analysts alike are asking if Kaprizov will remain in the State of Hockey or go for a record-grossing deal elsewhere.
Minnesota Wild negotiations with Kirill Kaprizov create uncertainty
GM Bill Guerin has tried to calm the worries: he said talks between the players’ representatives and the organization are ongoing; there is no panic within the organization. He also emphasized the good relationship between the team and the player’s camp.Beyond those reassurances, the fact remains that Kaprizov never gave his word on the Wild’s offer. For the fans, the uncertainty is deeply unsettling. Kaprizov is not merely a top scorer, but the very pulse of the franchise. Should he go away, the team loses strength, and the Wild loses the intention of hanging out among the occasional contenders. His contract decision is also expected to have a bearing on the negotiations that other elite forwards across the league will go through.
What’s Kirill Kaprizov’s future in Minnesota?
Could Kirill Kaprizov secure a bigger payday elsewhere?
Insiders have revealed that Kaprizov’s camp believes they can fetch something between $18 and $19 million annually, especially with the salary cap expected to inch higher in the coming years. Some even conjecture that he might rather wait till Connor McDavid’s next contract is settled because that will certainly set the market.While speculation abounds that a short-term contract will lead to multiple lucrative contracts in the future, others maintain that he still wants to stick to the long-term side. However, rumors have it that a trade request might have surfaced, but sources close to the Wild strongly deny that the Wild management has asked for lists of preferred destinations.Also Read: Jack Eichel’s contract year: Will the Vegas Golden Knights keep their superstar?If Kirill Kaprizov signs again with the Minnesota Wild or if he tests free agency, the NHL would be in for a tremor. It will set new standards for contracts, perhaps impact McDavid’s negotiation, and turn the competitive paradigm sideways. Meanwhile, attention remains on the brightest star the state of Minnesota ever knew.