What Are Kirill Kaprizov's Plans in Minnesota?

Kirill Kaprizov has had an exceptional start for the Minnesota Wild. In 11 games – four three-point games and seven multi-game streak with 18 primary points! That alone qualifies him for MVP status! NHL Rumors: Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov As documented on NHLRumors.com, Minnesota will do whatever is necessary to retain Kirill Kaprizov; but what would happen if he hit free agency instead of staying put with Minnesota? Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period recently discussed Kirill Kaprizov’s future in Minnesota, whether or not he can hit free agency and whether Montreal should pursue him as a target player. NHLRumors.com Transcriptions Host: “Now, tomorrow (Tuesday), Dave will watch Calgary Flames take on Montreal Canadiens at Bell Center before Montreal heading out again on their road tour to Minnesota Thursday for another meeting – so what do you see as Kirill Kaprizov’s future prospects?” NHL Injuries: Bruins, Avs, Kings, Islanders, Sharks Blues Maple Leafs Capitals Dave Pagnotta describes an ideal scenario as: Brinks trucks arriving at his place… Host: “Can I tell you my dream scenario?” Pagnotta nods. Host: “Cuz he will become an unrestricted free agent?” Host: Pagnotta: “Over a couple of summers.” Host: “Minnesota made their intentions known; basically saying we could offer him more money than any other team – which, given they have an extra year on his contract, they do indeed possess. What about I paint you a different picture?” Demidov comes to Montreal alone as the sole Russian, no other players share his ethnic background or background – this makes an interesting comparison with how Gordon thrived with different circumstances in New York and they brought in Panarin as well. Can Kaprizov become Gordon’s Montreal Panarin?” Pagnotta replied “That could be tricky”. Craig Leopold, owner of the Wild, will likely continue with his assault against this young team, like it or not. Myself included. So far he’s only scored about two points per game so it may drop slightly and may not reach 170 points this season; who knows! Personally I would take the under, though he certainly appears on track to eclipse 100, 110, or 120 points this season with his current form and at 27 years of age he’s in that prime window for success. NHL Rumors: Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens I think that, should he hit free agency and fails to sign an extension next summer, he would become an attractive target for other teams after that – specifically Montreal who I expect would make him their top target in terms of acquisition. I don’t believe he will succeed. But just like this summer or this off-season, right now two players – Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner – who may hit the market come June are being heavily pursued as potential prime targets by teams around the league. Kaprizov will likely follow suit and, should he continue playing at such an aggressive pace, would become paid more annually than both players listed above combined.” Does such an ideal scenario materialise? No doubt not; but would you be shocked if Kiril Kaprizov were being compensated as one of the league’s premier five players? Absolutely not.