It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re nearing the start of training camp later this month and that means contract talks are going into overdrive. We’ve already seen a few restricted free agents ink deals. However, some of the big-ticket players entering the last year of their deals are yet to put pen to paper. The start of camp means the sense of urgency has been cranked up.
The Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov are trying to iron things out and make a new contract happen. This edition of NHL rumours looks at how big of a pay day that the Russian star may get.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov Could Agree to Historic Deal
Rumour: We take a look at the latest regarding talks between the Wild and Kaprizov. Minnesota owner Craig Leipold gave an update to The Athletic. Leipold sounded fairly confident about getting a deal done.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that the deal could be a big one. The insider said the contract could get an eight-year contract worth $16 million per season. That works out to $128 million for the life of the contract.
Analysis: Leipold seemed like a deal was close to being finished. Kaprizov is scheduled to return to the Twin Cities next week. There had some uncertainty of what a new deal would look like. However. it seems that things could come together quickly.
Speculation had been running rampant in previous edition of NHL rumours. Some thought Kaprizov could take a mid-range deal. However, we could see the richest contract in the history of the NHL. That would be a massive win for the Wild this off-season.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl currently holds the highest AAV with $14 million. However, that may not last long if Kaprizov signs the rumoured agreement.
Kaprizov is one of the team’s best players in franchise history. Getting this deal done is an important piece of business, but this will be a large one.
What It Means
However, that highest AAV could be eclipsed if Connor McDavid takes the highest cap hit. Kaprizov’s highest-paid honour could be short-lived, but it’s a well-deserved one.
An advantage of signing now is that Kaprizov can get that eighth year. If he waited longer, he cold only sign a maximum length deal of seven years. It’ll be an expensive deal, but it’s one the Wild needed to get done.
However, this contract could also have a knock-on effect to the other big-name free agents that could become available on July 1. McDavid, Jack Eichel and Adrian Kempe are eligible to sign new deals. However, nothing has been agreed to as of yet. Some think the talks will really ramp up when players get back into town.
Kaprizov’s massive cap hit could up the price for the other massive stars. We could see McDavid want $16.5 million or $17 million per season. This will have a ripple effect on the other players thoroughout the league, but nothing is certain until the deal is finished.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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