Article: The Kaprizov Saga Is Putting the Wild Franchise's Credibility On the Line

[Willy the poor boy]

38 minutes ago, Quebec1648 said:

Connor McDavid is also in the market for a new deal, so Kaprizov and McDavid may be competing to see who gets the better deal. Leopold promised to make Kaprizov the highest paid guy, so if McDavid were to sign for more, that would make Kaprizov #2 instead of #1.

If Kaprizov gets $16 million a year, what would McDavid get? McDavid has been to the Stanley cup, so I don't see him making less than Kaprizov.

Mc D deserves to be the highest paid player. KK doesn't. He's delusional if he thinks that.

[ArizonaWildFan]

Kaprizov is here for $9M AAV this season and he knows that he's going to get a serious bump next season, either here or somewhere else. We often hear about players signing a 'prove it' contract, like Rossi. How about Kaprizov not signing now and telling the Wild to 'prove it'?

This is the final year of his buddy's, Zuccarello, contract. Tarasenko is on a one year deal. If you're KK, don't you play this season out, see how the season and potential playoffs go, see what things look like the following season and then make up your mind?

Maybe he's telling OCL, GMBG and HCJH by not signing an extension now to prove that they are serious about winning and are willing to do what it takes to win. Regrettably, I don't believe that those three know how to win in their current roles and this could be the end of the Kaprizov era in Minnesota.

[Willy the poor boy]

1 hour ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Kaprizov is here for $9M AAV this season and he knows that he's going to get a serious bump next season, either here or somewhere else. We often hear about players signing a 'prove it' contract, like Rossi. How about Kaprizov not signing now and telling the Wild to 'prove it'?

This is the final year of his buddy's, Zuccarello, contract. Tarasenko is on a one year deal. If you're KK, don't you play this season out, see how the season and potential playoffs go, see what things look like the following season and then make up your mind?

Maybe he's telling OCL, GMBG and HCJH by not signing an extension now to prove that they are serious about winning and are willing to do what it takes to win. Regrettably, I don't believe that those three know how to win in their current roles and this could be the end of the Kaprizov era in Minnesota.

If that would be the case, the Wild really do need a trade list from him

If he starts the season unsigned they need to actively seek a trade.

[Quebec1648]

5 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Mc D deserves to be the highest paid player. KK doesn't. He's delusional if he thinks that.

This may be true, but the Wilds owner publicly stated Kaprizov would be the highest paid guy. Therefore, Kaprizov would need to wait and see what McDavid gets, before signing his deal.

[Fortis]

Everyone needs to relax. KAPRIZOV IS STILL UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

If I were him, I would refuse an 8 year deal too. I think $16 million/year 5 years from now will be “average star” salary, let alone 8 years from now. If he signs a 3-5 year deal before NEXT JULY, his follow-on contract (the one after next) could bring $20 million/year.

Also, I think the entire NHLPA is waiting to see what McDavid signs for. No player should make more than the greatest hockey player of all time.

[NoJoSux]

If you asked me, this is all clickbait garbage to create some kinds of hype for writers during a normally boring stretch with minimal storylines. 

The Wild are pretty much the same team coming back that was at one point last season the hottest team in the NHL. 

MAF got a PTO in Pittsburgh, that's cool. 

Kaprizov is a huge asset for the Wild. I think he'll resign but if things went South and he doesn't that money and trade return would be nice. The Wild should be a better team this year, at least on paper. I liked Fleury as a backup better than Wally. (unproven value) The additions of Tarasenko for nothing, and Sturm via free agency is nice. Hopefully NoJo is in the press box where he belongs and prospects show up with some energy. 

All this conjecture and unreliable reporting seems silly to me and distracts from the potential MN has this season. Good defense, solid goalie, hopefully healthy season. That by itself has been the biggest problem for MN in the past couple years.

[NoJoSux]

A healthy Wild team with Boldy's playoffs ability improved, a better PP, and better center depth with Sturm is hope inspiring. 

If Wallstedt, Ogie, or Yurov play well, that could be a huge boost allowing the Wild to be better balanced than last year. Improved depth too. 

Mountain out of mole-hill topic here.

[ArizonaWildFan]

21 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Mc D deserves to be the highest paid player.

No argument here. I don't expect McJesus to sign an extension anytime soon and probably not before July 1, 2026. The Oilers are in Cap Hell and are a piece or two from winning a Cup.

For 25/26, Draisaitl is at $14M AAV, Bouchard is at $10.5M AAV, Nurse is $9.25M AAV and they have a Jack Campbell buyout on the books for $2.6M. At the end of this season they will have eleven UFA's (incl. McDavid) and one RFA. The projected cap for 25/26 is $104M.

Hypothetically, if McDavid signed for $16M AAV now, Edmonton would have $52.35M committed to just four players and one buyout; over half of the cap space. Those four guys haven't brought the Cup back to Edmonton yet and they won't in the future. They will have to add more pieces, depth and goaltending, and they may not have the money to do it.

Connor may be in the position to make a team-friendly deal involving a serious haircut if he wants to stay in Edmonton and wants to win a Cup. If they win it this year, that's what he does. If they don't, he weighs his options on July 1, 2026.

[Dango]

On 9/13/2025 at 12:26 PM, Willy the poor boy said:

Mc D deserves to be the highest paid player. KK doesn't. He's delusional if he thinks that.

The NHL pretty much treats Mcdavid as the face of the NHL  and uses him as the poster boy and from that angle he deserves to be the highest paid player  but the NHL has shown 0 respect for the Mn Wild treating them like a minor league team with no value to the league so from that angle the Wild should just pay Kaprizov whatever and not recognize whatever love affair Bettman has with his favorites   or whatever  Bettmans trying to  portray .  Billy should use those size 14s and stomp on Bettman and the NHLs toes and pay Kappy the most .  LOL 

[Scalptrash]

On 9/12/2025 at 10:42 AM, Burnt Toast said:

The St. Louis Blues found a way to break their own playoff drought in a dramatic turnaround season. 2019 Stanley Cup Champions. Small market team also.

Too bad the Wild didn't benefit as much when they fired Yeo!