Article: What Would A Post-Kaprizov Minnesota Wild Team Look Like?

[Tony Abbott]

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[goenzoy]

Kaprisov likes playing in Minnesota 

But people should get real .

Any 100million + contract is certainty more complicated then a return flight from Moscow 

[Citizen Strife]

There are some distinct differences from the post-Gaboeik years to what a post-Kaprizov situation would look like.

Post-Gaborik

- Koivu and Backstrom were pretty good, but the forward and defensive lines were riddled with meh.

40-60 pt player peaks, with 20s-40s mixed in.

Young guys were very...VERY underwhelming.  Took a few years for Granny, Brodin, and Dumba to show up.

Post-Kaprizov

- Boldy is a better winger than anything post Gaborik had.  Probably same level as a Parise even.

- Brodin, Spurgeon, Faber

- Buium might be a better prospect than anything the Wild had for those few years.

- Gus is almost as good as Backstrom was.

- $15-18m NOT to spend on one guy.  Maybe someone in FA will take a chance, or even 2-3 with that money.

[Sam]

Players like Kaprisov are a rare commodity in the NHL. It’s like finding a golden egg in the bottom of your Cracker Jacks box.

[Pewterschmidt]

Remember the Coyle/nino/zucker/vanek/brodziak/fontaine years?  Like that. 

[Patrick]

Kaprisov is one of the most dynamic players in the NHL but he isn't one of the top 5 and probably not in the top 10 overall.

Why? His defense is meh, his playoff productivity is meh and he is an injury risk to say the least. 

I think the Wild are better off without KK and having 16 million in additional cap space.  The Patriots built the most significant sports dynasty in the last 40 years by NOT overspending on players and prioritizing WINNERS!

KK has every right to squeeze as much money out of the team as he likes but its obvious that winning is a low priority. You can't win a title without superstars who are 100% committed to winning. 

If he turned down the contract (and we don't know its true) because he wants more money, I say trade him ASAP.

[Pewterschmidt]

Pewter’s Prospect Prognostications:
If you were hoping for yurov to make a contribution this season, you’re going to be disappointed.  Think Rossi in his first 19 games (1 pt).  Nothing dynamic.  No dawg.  No vision.  Punted the puck more than once.  And this is against 18&19 year old invitees.  He’ll get TOI with big club but it won’t be pretty. 
Haight showed a pulse tonight but he’s not ready either.  Heidt is less ready than Haight. 

Benak again stood out.  Assisted on game winner.  Stole puck on offensive end board and silver plattered it for a tap in.  Kid is our Stankoven.  Coaches put him on 1st line with yurov and Haight today. 
Amidovski looks like he could become a middle six forward. Good size and scored again today on a breakaway he created.  
Masters is a big body but I’m not sure he’s got ‘it’ to make pro.  

[1Brotherbill]

The team will be what it has been for 25 years.  Good enough to make the playoffs but probably not good enough to matter in the playoffs.  The young kids should keep the team relevant.  Gus and Wallstedt will win games on their own.  Defense will be solid and probably more offensive than ever.  The Wild will still need elite centers.  Those don't come along often and when they do you usually have to draft in the top 5.  Which I don't think the Wild will ever do with this ownership.  So they will be good enough to make the playoffs forever.  Just not good enough to matter. 

[Scalptrash]

Guerin won't be here if Kaprizov isn't re-signed. Good luck getting another GM gig as well.

[FredJohnson]

39 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

Guerin won't be here if Kaprizov isn't re-signed. Good luck getting another GM gig as well.

On this we agree. Bully has one job. (Misspelling is intentional)