By Kalisha Turnipseed -
Kirill Kaprizov has two seasons remaining with the Minnesota Wild. Therefore, the Wild are running out of time to show Kaprizov they can be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
The Wild are stuck with a few veteran contracts that they cannot move for a few years to improve the team. Bill Guerin’s biggest challenge this season will be making the playoffs. Kaprizov has a no-move clause (NMC), giving him control over where he plays.
If he doesn’t extend in Minnesota, Kaprizov could choose to go to three retooling teams that are ready to make playoff noise but need a superstar.
Detroit Red Wings
Target: Lucas Raymond package
Most likely
The Red Wings are retooling even though they’ve managed to produce a top-two prospect pool because they were so bad for so long. They are ready to become a playoff team, but they don't have a superstar for them to make a deep run. General manager Steve Yzerman undoubtedly will call about Kaprizov.
Kaprizov could be intrigued about playing in Detroit. The Red Wings produced many Russian stars, including Pavel Datsyuk, who was just inducted into this year’s Hall Of Fame. By signing with the Wings, Kaprizov could become their biggest Russian star.
Raymond isn't likely going to produce like Kaprizov, but he’s a forechecking wizard who has high-end scoring upside. Raymond's forechecking game would complement Joel Eriksson Ek’s play. Raymond and Eriksson Ek will get tough matchups and likely thrive more often than not. Boldy is the perfect playmaker for Raymond to convert on goals and can replace Marcus Johansson’s speed.
If Yzerman refuses to part ways with Raymond, the Wings will have many prospects to choose from in exchange for Kaprizov, such as Sam Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, and Marco Kasper. They will be part of a bigger package, and the Wild can bolster their Under-24 group.
Buffalo Sabers
Target: Tage Thompson package
Most likely
The Wild can get a big and skilled center back in Thompson, who they can use in many ways. Minnesota can make a better GREEF line with Thompson playing wing alongside Eriksson Ek and Boldy. Thompson isn't a 90-point scorer. However, he's entering his prime years and likely a borderline point-per-game player.
The Wild can target Alex Tuch in free agency and reunite him with Thompson. Rossi could benefit from playing with two highly skilled power forwards. Yurov will play with Boldy and Eriksson Ek, making the Wild’s top-six heavier, which is still Guerin’s ultimate goal. The Sabers have a lot of prospects in their pool.
Minnesota can also consider getting a Tuch package if the Sabers refuse to give the Wild Thompson. If the Wild trade for Tuch, they could probably look into getting Zach Benson, who can play all three positions and has untapped potential. Benson scored a between-the-legs goal before Kaprizov, a prime example of his capabilities.
Ottawa Senators
Target: Tim Stutzle package
Likely
Stutzle is a young and dynamic center for the Senators who is still an upcoming star player. However, his play has dropped off, and NHL.com left him off their list of top-20 centers. Stutzle, 22, will rebound and has yet to enter his prime. He brings burning speed down the middle and high-end playmaking. The Wild have waited forever to get that kind of center, and this is the opportunity to get one.
The Senators still have Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, and Ridley Greig as the next three centers on their depth chart. They can still succeed with those three, and Kaprizov can easily propel either of them into better contributors like Kaprizov has with Victor Rask and Ryan Hartman. Ottawa will have an established superstar who can elevate them more than Stutzle, regardless of position.
Ottawa is done rebuilding and wants to win. Kaprizov might waive his no-trade clause to play with captain Brady Tkachuk, who will protect Kaprizov and take the physical burden off him. Kaprizov can use Tkachuk to his advantage and elevate his offense.
Guerin will be heading into this season with something to prove. He must be prepared for the unexpected if they get off to a bad start and Kaprizov loses his patience and demands a trade. If these teams play better than the Wild, then Kaprizov will undoubtedly waive them to play with better talent than their current roster, which Guerin handcuffed with some veteran contracts.
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