NHL Insider Calls For Kaprizov To Win Hart

That's Wild

• The Minnesota Wild are a wagon. A freight train. Or any other mode of transportation that will not stop and just barrel down any competition you put in front of them. And leading the charge is winger Kirill Kaprizov, of course. He has started out the season so well that he is forcing national reporters to talk about our Wild, and about how he should be a strong contender to win the Hart Trophy for the league's MVP this season. [Sportsnet]
• In addition to Kaprizov, it is his new centerman that has finally earned enough trust from the coaching staff to remain on the top line. Marco Rossi is looking just so damn good and perfect in between Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. And it's not even just because of who he is playing with. So, the Wild should really pay him now before this summer and he is a restricted free agent. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The latest victory was a little shaky, and not the most dominant performance but the Wild were still able to take a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Unfortunately, their streak of never trailing in a game came to an end, but we can't complain all that much with a win. [Pioneer Press]

Off the trail...

• Elsewhere, Sergei Bobrovsky became the fastest goaltender to earn 400 wins as his Panthers defeated the New York Rangers. [NHL.com]
• ESPN ranked the top 50 NHL prospects recently and there are several Wild prospects on the list. It's great to see. [ESPN]
• The teams for the 4 Nations Face-Off are still to be determined but with just six players for each roster already announced, we're already starting some drama. Connor McDavid was asked who should captain Team Canada, and he was adamant that it should be Sidney Crosby. We will see. [DailyFaceoff]
• Trade rumors are already starting. Utah Hockey Club have both John Marino and Sean Durzi out with long-term injuries, and they are reportedly calling around to see who is available. One name they inquired about is Ivan Provorov, reportedly. [TheScore]