Article: Kirill Kaprizov Undergoing Surgery, Out 4-6 Weeks

[Thomas Williams]

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[Citizen Strife]

The Wild have no money, no extra players, no LTIR avoidance, and those stupid cap hits.  They just have to survive this as best they can (Boldy/Rossi or Ek/Zucc as top line).  It doesn't seem likely a team will take a veteran contract or broker money.  

Just a kick in the nuts in a season that has continued to be a constant kick in the nuts.  The only salvation is Colorado struggling since the trade and Dallas probably losing Heiskanen for what is likely a while.  

That point cushion the Wild have from the playoff bubble is the best thing the team has going for it right now.

[MacGyver]

Billy was on the radio yesterday. among other things he said not to expect any major trades by the deadline. Given the circumstances I think this is the best course. Let the chips fall where they may this season and then make your moves next season. If ODC is right this means we lose Kaprizov. If true chances are he did not intend to stay in the first place. 

[mnfaninnc]

48 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

If ODC is right this means we lose Kaprizov. If true chances are he did not intend to stay in the first place. 

I do not believe we lose Kaprizov over this. Kaprizov is disappointed, but I think much of the impact of the team he will internalize as on him for getting hurt. He knows the impact he had to start the season great and what that meant. So, I don't think we lose him because of any of this.

[mnfaninnc]

I still believe that we have a chance at acquiring Tuch (from a cap perspective). I'm not sure how expensive he would be for compensation, but that might be outside of the scope that we can give up.

I think I'm about to change my tune. Opportunity typically comes from injury, and with Brodin, Johansson, and Kaprizov out, opportunity is here. Shore and company have added little to the lineup. It is now time for the kids to shine. Let's see what Bankier, Haight, Milne have learned! 

The message to them is play like you're shot out of a cannon, don't look back. Make us have to make the tough decision that we can't afford to send you back down. Your time is now, you can seize it or you can let it slip away. This is your dream, go take it!

I would even be in favor of calling up Heidt for a couple of games to see where he's at. Give these kids minutes to eat, don't shield them. Coach them up hard. 

[OldDutchChip]

59 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

Billy was on the radio yesterday. among other things he said not to expect any major trades by the deadline. Given the circumstances I think this is the best course. Let the chips fall where they may this season and then make your moves next season. If ODC is right this means we lose Kaprizov. If true chances are he did not intend to stay in the first place. 

i suppose Kap may talk himself into staying by thinking he could have done more if not for this injury....who knows .... this may be a blessing in disguise.....

very interesting how this all will turn out -

(i) this is a big opportunity for Rossi and Boldy to step up and take the lead - i'd put them on two separate line and maybe do Ek Boldy Ohgren / Rossi Zuccy Harty? (hmm)

(ii) i'd like for Billy to not abandon the possibility of shelving Kap till POs....can't we give him last 5 games "off" and deal for someone? 

(iii) do we want to maybe bring in Wally again? the other two Gs are playing like its 2023-24 again.....

fun times

 

[Sam]

26 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

The message to them is play like you're shot out of a cannon, don't look back. Make us have to make the tough decision that we can't afford to send you back down. Your time is now, you can seize it or you can let it slip away. This is your dream, go take it!

Were you by chance a motivational speaker in your past life or something.

[MrCheatachu]

19 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i suppose Kap may talk himself into staying by thinking he could have done more if not for this injury....who knows .... this may be a blessing in disguise.....

very interesting how this all will turn out -

(i) this is a big opportunity for Rossi and Boldy to step up and take the lead - i'd put them on two separate line and maybe do Ek Boldy Ohgren / Rossi Zuccy Harty? (hmm)

(ii) i'd like for Billy to not abandon the possibility of shelving Kap till POs....can't we give him last 5 games "off" and deal for someone? 

(iii) do we want to maybe bring in Wally again? the other two Gs are playing like its 2023-24 again.....

fun times

 

(i) Boldy needs to step up here.  He did it when Kaprizov was out before, and has shown that he has the ability to 'be the guy'.  Right now Boldy & Rossi's stat line looks pretty damn similar (Boldy has 1 more goal than Rossi, both have same number of apples).

I'd also like to see Hartman step up.  Hartman's been at his best when he's been getting under guys skin and being, to quote Middleton, a little shit.  I appreciate that this team has been much more disciplined this year considering our PK looks like steaming crap, but I'd rather Boldy clean up his 35 PIM rather than Hartzy reducing his 39 PIM.  Nobody's been referring to Hartman on this board as 'Grizzle' anymore, and that's an issue.  I'd like to see him get under the other teams skin here and there.  Same could go for Moose and Trenin.  They're getting paid to hit, be relentless and get the opponents on tilt.

 

 

[Protec]

I think MN can bounce back without #97. 

The coach seems to be doing the right thing by ruffling feathers but where was that with NoJo??? 

No panic. They just need to keep working hard. Players will need to step up with some real leadership here. 

[Pewterschmidt]

Here's the most glass half empty take on this:

97 is going full Gaborik by choosing surgery now so he can be 100% thru end of season, ensuring his market value/leverage is high as possible going into off-season.

I don't believe this is happening, but I will say I told you so if it does.

[FredJohnson]

How much less do we offer an injury prone KK97? 😜

[raithis]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Here's the most glass half empty take on this:

97 is going full Gaborik by choosing surgery now so he can be 100% thru end of season, ensuring his market value/leverage is high as possible going into off-season.

I don't believe this is happening, but I will say I told you so if it does.

I don't think Kaprizov cares about market value or leverage at all.  His agent certainly does and you could convince me that is his motivation, but I think Kaprizov wants to play and win far more than he cares about milking every penny into a lucrative contract. I doubt the thought of it even crossed his mind.

[MacGyver]

19 minutes ago, raithis said:

I don't think Kaprizov cares about market value or leverage at all.  His agent certainly does and you could convince me that is his motivation, but I think Kaprizov wants to play and win far more than he cares about milking every penny into a lucrative contract. I doubt the thought of it even crossed his mind.

I agree with this. Kaprizov was never about the money it's about getting the Cup with his name on it on his resume. But just like when he first came here he let his agent do all the talking and probably will again. His agent made Panarin the highest paid player in the league and he will do the same with Kaprivoz whether it's here or somewhere else. 

It's the kind of thing where I don't really care about the money but if my agent can make me the highest paid player in the league and all I have to do is put pen to paper I guess I'm good with that.

[hydguy75]

On 1/29/2025 at 9:21 AM, mnfaninnc said:

I do not believe we lose Kaprizov over this. Kaprizov is disappointed, but I think much of the impact of the team he will internalize as on him for getting hurt. He knows the impact he had to start the season great and what that meant. So, I don't think we lose him because of any of this.

And Kap's next thought will be "if the success of the Wild rests solely on my shoulders, that also means there's not enough Wild to get to the cup.  So, which team is ready to be Champions and has the 97 sweater available?"  

Starting to see some of ODC concerns.