Article: Kirill Kaprizov Re-Signs with the Wild on Record-Breaking Contract

[B1GKappa97]

3 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

This KEEPS them a bubble team, they didn't get any better, they just didn't get worse. Now they won't be able to afford a true 1A center, so it'll be same same going forward.

They have $23.1M in cap space next year.... and that's before making any trades. 

[mnfaninnc]

1 minute ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Yurov may not even make the team out of camp.  Ogz ceiling is post season Trenin.  So now Haight is the last hope that a second top 6'r is already in the organization. 

P-Scout, keep in mind that OgZ is a 2nd half player. His stick was pretty slow last season, I anticipate without having watched him that it is still a bit slow but better. 

What I'm looking for is an early sniper goal and an early greasy goal from OgZ. To me, confidence is his biggest issue. I'm sticking with Nino as his comparison. And I'd love to see him throw the wood a little.

I haven't actually watched Yurov yet, but I'm thinking he is one of those who will just keep improving all season. I consider the K and A to be about the same level leagues, and I think he's put in his time. I'll bet he's one of those guys who just gets a little bit better every game.

One last thing, there is a lot of pressure now on the guys we resigned a couple of years ago. They have got to get these guys into consistent NHL guys before their time ends here. If they don't mentor well, the signing was a waste of time.

[B1GKappa97]

44 minutes ago, Patrick said:

IF Kaprizov stays healthy we need one more big time addition. 

The problem is we don't have the money for it because we overpaid by close to 30% unless we become top heavy.

Additionally, KK is fragile.  8 years is too long. 

I don't think this will age well.

 

This is patently false. According to puckpedia, we have $23.1M leftover in cap room for next season. 

We need to extend Gustavsson (probably $7M tops) and likely Jiricek on an RFA deal ($3M tops) which leaves us around $13.1M in cap space before they make any trades to create more. 

They have plenty of flexibility to still add pieces. 

And how cares about how the contract will age? The Wild are literally about to go all-in over the next 3 years now. Forget about how the contract will look in 6 or 7 seasons. Worry about that when we get closer to it. Just enjoy the ride in the meantime. 

[M_Nels]

13 minutes ago, B1GKappa97 said:

Just enjoy the ride in the meantime. 

Say it louder for mnhockeyfan03

[Scalptrash]

Quote

 I don't know how Thompson is on the back end, but in zones 2 and 3 he is a monster. Larkin, to me, adds that speed element and I think he's pretty responsible defensively, at least per reputation. 

I was curious since you mentioned it, Thompson is a lifetime -56 and Larkin is a lifetime -103. Ouch!

However, Thompson was +4, -1, -2 the last three seasons. Larkin -7, +5, -16. Thompson gets the easy nod for being more responsible.

Last season:
Thompson 76GP 44G 28A 72P -2 +/- 35PIM 16PPP 18:45TOI

Larkin 82GP 30G 40A 70P -16 +/- 40PIM 27PPP 20:04TOI

Thompson, more goals and points in fewer games with less TOI. Also higher shooting percentage (with more shots) 18.2 vs. 12.8.

Larkin's strengths; PP points (27 vs. 16) and FO% (54.5 vs. 42.2).

Contract:

Thompson 5 x $7.1M

Larkin 6 x $8.7M

Add in Thompson's size (6'6", 220 vs. 6'1", 199) and reach and it's a no brainer to me. Tage is two years younger as well.

Buffalo is more likely to deal their best players than Detroit (Eichel, Reinhart, Peterka).

[Tony Abbott]

4 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Now that is a scary statement.  Corruption in the NHLPA to ensure others get paid.  I could see it happening as well.

Scary stuff, seeing a union working to get its members more money. Blatant corruption.

[MNCountryLife]

1 minute ago, Tony Abbott said:

Scary stuff, seeing a union working to get its members more money. Blatant corruption.

LOL.. I see the sarcasm there.   But seriously... Unions are supposed to work on behalf of all players, with an emphasis on those that are in the bottom run of the ladder....not the wealthy few.  Corruption occurs when the union favors the big guy vs the little.   I would also be surprised if the CBA didn't have collusion language in it for union reps interferring in contracts.

[MNCountryLife]

44 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

Scary stuff, seeing a union working to get its members more money. Blatant corruption.

As I read through the CBA it appears that the NHLPA must review all contracts to ensure it meets the guidelines of the CBA.  As long as the contract falls within the guidelines of the CBA it would pass the NHLPA.  

I do see in section 26.3 it discusses Circumventions.  The idea of manipulation.  Which could place a union rep in a tricky situation if they pushed talks.  I would need a lot more time to study the CBA to have a confident argument one way or the other.

Edited 2 hours ago by MNCountryLife

[Patrick]

5 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

That is probably one of the best reasons to sign him at such a high AAV.  Minnesota needs to be considered a legitimate place to go.  A contender willing to spend the money to get there.

You understand there is a salary cap right?

[Patrick]

5 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

This was the only thing they could do.  Even if you hope the newer guys can be, should be, will be, or do become as good as Kap is, the fact that literally no one else in this franchise has done it says, "Yeah, fuck it.". From day one, Kap was just plain better than Gaborik, Parise, Suter, and Boldy and Rossi now 

The Wild play better (much) better with him in the lineup.  Is it enough to stop the whining?  Will it stop the Lols if "$17m and they still couldn't win a round?". Sure.

What is also true is other teams best the Wild for decades because they had the talent ceilings the Wild just don't. Kaprizov is an x-factor.  

I'm just happy the Wild finally kept one for once.

 

 

We all know you are 2nd to none when to comes to Kaprizov fandom.  Not even his own mother is as big a fan as you are! 😂😂😂

[MNCountryLife]

Just now, Patrick said:

You understand there is a salary cap right?

Yep. sure do.   Players want to play for contenders, not pretenders.  Kirill will attract the attention of other player wanting to play with him... the high contract will also tell players that the Wild are willing to spend the money to get them there.

Don't get me wrong.  I have been a big advocate on paying a player a value based on performance.  I think this is an overpay... but there will be an upside to the overpay as well.

[Patrick]

3 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

Yep. sure do.   Players want to play for contenders, not pretenders.  Kirill will attract the attention of other player wanting to play with him... the high contract will also tell players that the Wild are willing to spend the money to get them there.

Don't get me wrong.  I have been a big advocate on paying a player a value based on performance.  I think this is an overpay... but there will be an upside to the overpay as well.

So how does overpaying attract more talent? I would think underpaying would attract more talent. Not only would there be more money to spread around but it would also signal to the league that there something in Minnesota worth more than money.  

I think this does the opposite. I think it's says MN is so toxic we had to overpay KK by 30% to get him to stay.

I'm guessing a temperamental GM with a philosophy 20 years out of date and one the the most vanilla coaches in the NHL is why KK made bank.

[MNCountryLife]

Just now, Patrick said:

So how does overpaying attract more talent? I would think underpaying would attract more talent. Not only would there be more money to spread around but it would also signal to the league that there something in Minnesota worth more than money.  

In all likelihood it does both to some degree or another.

Players want to play with other good players.  Did Kirill convince Tarasenko to come here?  Maybe.  Did Zuc sign a team friendly deal to keep playing with Kirill?  Maybe.  Do players talk and convince players to join a team or stay with a team.  Yes, I think that happens frequently.   

Teams like Vegas, Oilers, Panthers and Lightning are all right up next to the cap.  They are paying out as much as allowed to get that winning team.  They are all in.  Players see that and want to be on teams like that.  Yes, it matters to players.  Especially to those that want to win a cup now.

The Ducks, Blues and Blackhawks are all at the bottom of the cap.  We don't see people like Mitch Marner advocating to move to Anaheim just because they have cap space.  

Is there a downside? Absolutely.  We have less money to spend and if we can't afford a player that wants more money for whatever reason... Yep.. we are going to lose them.  

The best of both worlds would be to sign a player like Kirill at a lower cost... but it is what it is.

 

[Citizen Strife]

37 minutes ago, Patrick said:

We all know you are 2nd to none when to comes to Kaprizov fandom.  Not even his own mother is as big a fan as you are! 😂😂😂

Why does everyone who is anti-Guerin/anti-Kap contract, anti/Leipold, think I am some raving lunatic brainwashed optimist or something?

First Scalp thinks I am personally attacking him cause I called him out on being angsty all off season (which I feel he was being to the point he was yelling at me for half an hour while I was heading into work), and now this?

Thinking the owner, GM, and players aren't the scum of the earth each day makes me a koolaid drinker.  Sure.  That's healthy thinking.  I can't just be an optimist happy we finally signed an elite player to an extension or something.

Signing Kap and Rossi to extensions was my hopeful outcome, and it happened.  I can just relax on the season now.

Sorry I don't prescribe to constant pessimism like it's a life choice or something.  Finding the worst outcome or bad vibes of EVERYTHING the franchise does is certainly normal 

*Note: almost everything.  I would rather not get into another shouting match.  

Edited 1 hour ago by Citizen Strife

[Citizen Strife]

Also, if I ever "attack" someone, it's never personal.  I know jack shit about anyone here other than being "fans" of the team.  I just think some go out of their way to be overly toxic (maybe not on purpose), so I don't like that.  I don't like being like that, so I act realistic or optimistic.  It just feels better.

I get enough toxic bullshit on the Internet as is.If the teams suck or bad stuff happens, I laugh it off and find it hilarious instead.  Not sure why that sounds like I worship at some Altar of Minnesota can do no wrong and never sucked ever.

Edited 1 hour ago by Citizen Strife

[Burnt Toast]

6 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

Now they won't be able to afford a true 1A center

There’s cap space in the coming years for a big add. Finding someone willing to come will take patience. Every few years someone seems to want out of their current team or has short term health issues. St Louis added ROR, Vegas got JE. MN is a team on the rise. Enen if a 1C doesn’t become available or isn’t interested in MN then add the best playoff style scoring forward available. 

[Patrick]

1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

In all likelihood it does both to some degree or another.

Players want to play with other good players.  Did Kirill convince Tarasenko to come here?  Maybe.  Did Zuc sign a team friendly deal to keep playing with Kirill?  Maybe.  Do players talk and convince players to join a team or stay with a team.  Yes, I think that happens frequently.   

Teams like Vegas, Oilers, Panthers and Lightning are all right up next to the cap.  They are paying out as much as allowed to get that winning team.  They are all in.  Players see that and want to be on teams like that.  Yes, it matters to players.  Especially to those that want to win a cup now.

The Ducks, Blues and Blackhawks are all at the bottom of the cap.  We don't see people like Mitch Marner advocating to move to Anaheim just because they have cap space.  

Is there a downside? Absolutely.  We have less money to spend and if we can't afford a player that wants more money for whatever reason... Yep.. we are going to lose them.  

The best of both worlds would be to sign a player like Kirill at a lower cost... but it is what it is.

 

Panthers and lightning underpay...and win cups.  Vegas cheats. 

[Dango]

The way i see it is the league isnt really that deep with elite talent , you have alot of really good players but really there arent alot of elite players in the  Mcdavids class ,  Having Kaprizov is like the Twins having Santana  there isnt ever gonna be another one and if you trade them the return wont be as good .       We might need a good center but i dont think we need a top 5 center .

[Patrick]

54 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Why does everyone who is anti-Guerin/anti-Kap contract, anti/Leipold, think I am some raving lunatic brainwashed optimist or something?

First Scalp thinks I am personally attacking him cause I called him out on being angsty all off season (which I feel he was being to the point he was yelling at me for half an hour while I was heading into work), and now this?

Thinking the owner, GM, and players aren't the scum of the earth each day makes me a koolaid drinker.  Sure.  That's healthy thinking.  I can't just be an optimist happy we finally signed an elite player to an extension or something.

Signing Kap and Rossi to extensions was my hopeful outcome, and it happened.  I can just relax on the season now.

Sorry I don't prescribe to constant pessimism like it's a life choice or something.  Finding the worst outcome or bad vibes of EVERYTHING the franchise does is certainly normal 

*Note: almost everything.  I would rather not get into another shouting match.  

For everything KK this is true...when it's Rossi you are all doom and gloom though.

[Citizen Strife]

Was I though?  I waffled back and forth saying, "maybe he was just a complementary player" despite championing him quite a bit when he keeps racking up points.

How Guerin got a 3x5 when evidence pointed elsewhere around the league was beyond me.  But keeping Rossi's cost down for now makes sense in hindsight.  I want Rossi to shut us all up and be the best center the Wild have ever had.  He may, he may not.  

The only players I've ever outwardly shit on were the AHL+ depth the Wild had (Letteri, Walker, Beckman), or Khusnutdinov.  But that was from the stance of, "if the Wild can't find better depth or find better top liners to force these guys out...fuck!"

I don't ever go doom and gloom.  I would just like to think the team isn't as bad as it sometimes looks.  Or, even if it is, then whatever.  Doesn't kill me anyway.  Better luck next game.  Better to think about happy things.

 

 

Edited 58 minutes ago by Citizen Strife

[NoJoSux]

I like Kaprizov for MN!

BUT, did OCL just advocate for another big, record-setting contract like he did for Parise/Suter?

Better start winning more playoff rounds now.