Minnesota Wild superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov is intrigued by the possibility of playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, according to NHL insider Mark Lazerus.
Lazerus spoke on his The Athletic Hockey Show and revealed Kaprizov is interested in playing for the Blackhawks when his contract ends in two years. Kaprizov is entering the third year of his fifth-year $45 million deal.
After Lazerus revealed that on his podcast, he took to X to clarify his comment and said the Russian is intrigued by the possibility of signing with the Blackhawks.
“Let me clarify, please: I reported back in June that the Blackhawks see Kaprizov as a potential big add in two years, this generation’s Marian Hossa, so to speak. Is Kaprizov intrigued by the possibility? Sure. Does he “want” it now? No. I misspoke extemporaneously on the pod,” Lazerus wrote on X.
With Kaprizov still two years away from free agency, the rumors on him wanting out of Minnesota will continue to heat up. Whether or not that will lead to any trade is uncertain, but if Kaprizov does sign with Chicago in two years it would be a major get for the Blackhawks.
Kaprizov has spent his entire four-year NHL career with the Wild. He’s skated in 278 games recording 160 goals and 170 assists for 330 points.
Wild GM Not Panicking About Kaprizov’s Contract
Kaprizov has two years left on his deal but is eligible to sign an extension on July 1.
The Russian forward is making $9 million per season but will get a hefty raise when he signs his new deal. Although Kaprizov will be in for a raise, Wild general manager Bill Guerin says he isn’t concerned or hitting the panic button on what the contract could look like.
“We’re going into a whole different world with contracts,” Guerin told RG.org in an exclusive interview. “They’re getting bigger, and that’s just because the business is bigger and bigger and better and better…
“I don’t push the panic button or start diving into what-ifs though right now,” Guerin added. “We’re two years away from Kirill being a free agent. They are what they are. The contracts are what they are, and we just have to be ready for it when the time comes.”
Last season with the Wild, Kaprizov skated in 46 goals and 50 assists for 96 points in 75 games.
Connor Bedard More Ready For Second NHL Season
The Blackhawks are currently led by Connor Bedard who is coming off a successful rookie season.
Entering his second year in the NHL, Bedard says he feels more ready and prepared to play in the NHL.
“I didn’t have an interview for a couple of months, which was unbelievable,” Bedard said to NHL.com. “I feel a lot more ready to come [here]. The excitement was there last year, but I think I just feel more relaxed… It’s just good to have the year under my belt. I think when you’re a rookie, everything seems like a bigger deal to the outside people. I’m just excited to get in another year and play hockey.”
Bedard won the Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year in the 2023-24 NHL season. He recorded 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in 68 games.
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