In the National Hockey League, the story continues around the new contract between Kirill Kaprizov and Minnesota Wild. Over the past months, negotiations have been underway between the club and representatives of the Russian forward on a new agreement, but it has not yet been possible to persuade the athlete to sign. At the same time, American sources report that the team is already ready to partially satisfy his requests and offer him a shorter-term contract than originally planned.
As far as is known, the length of the agreement became a stumbling block in the negotiations. According to The Athletic, the American club insisted on signing a contract for a period of seven to eight years, which was in stark contrast to the wishes of the owner of the Calder Trophy. He planned to stay in the team until 2024, after which he would become an unrestricted free agent and be able to both continue cooperation with Wild on improved terms and go to another team in the league. At the same time, the salary could hardly become a subject of bargaining. Olympic champion Pyeongchang was willing to pay $ 8-9 million a year, making him one of, if not the highest paid, Minnesota player. At the moment, this is the defender Jared Spurgeon ($ 9 million per year).
This offseason, Minnesota found itself in a situation where two of its leaders at once became restricted free agents. We are talking about the top scorer of the last season Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala. The Swiss took second place in the number of points scored (20 + 20), 11 points behind his partner (27 + 24). And in this case, the club and the hockey player also failed to immediately reach a consensus. The striker wanted to receive $ 6.25 million a year, while he was going to be paid a third less (about $ 4 million). Not without an arbitration court, but in the end the parties still agreed on a one-year contract for $ 5.1 million.
However, in the case of Kaprizov, one of the youngest teams in the NHL decided to stand his ground to the last. And this speaks not only of the adherence to principles of general manager Gerin, but also of the importance of the young striker. In the very first season, he established himself and made it clear that in the future he could become one of the brightest players in the league. Minnesota realized that it was highly desirable for them to immediately sign it for a long term, in order to exclude leaving as a free agent in a couple of years and to protect the franchise from having to offer an extra-large contract. It is not easy for clubs from “small markets” to attract stars to themselves, and even more so to keep them.
In addition, on the side of "Wild" was the fact that Caprice spent only one season in the league. In this regard, the Russian could not negotiate with other clubs, and also did not have the opportunity to appeal the terms of the agreement in the arbitration court. In case of unwillingness to stay in Minnesota, the only option for Kirill was to return to the Continental Hockey League.
And if you believe the media, Kaprizov really considered this option. The news has repeatedly appeared that the forward is close to moving to his former team, CSKA, with which he won the Gagarin Cup in 2019. In this regard, an additional help was the reluctance of the NHL to let players go to the Beijing Olympics, thanks to which the Russian would have a chance to test himself again. In 2018, he already helped the national team win gold in Pyeongchang and would hardly have refused to repeat the success.
In light of this, information even appeared that Kaprizov signed a preliminary agreement with CSKA for over $ 10 million, which should come into force on September 1 - in the event that he fails to agree with Wild. However, many experts and journalists considered this a common bluff. A similar opinion was expressed by the columnist for one of the largest Minnesota publications Star Tribune Chip Scoggins, who doubted that the Russian would agree to a downgrade in order to meet all his contractual requirements. And the former general manager of Salavat Yulaev, Leonid Vaysfeld, even stated that in the current conditions no player can receive such a salary in the KHL.
“When I read that Kaprizov can sign a contract with CSKA for $ 10 million, it looks strange.
If the entire payroll of the KHL club is under the ceiling - $ 12 million, how can one player take almost everything on himself?
Moreover, CSKA is now almost under the ceiling.
It's another matter if Kirill really has such fundamental disagreements in the NHL, then he will agree to spend a year in the KHL for any amount.
If only not to sign a contract with Minnesota, "- quoted by Weisfeld" Match TV ".
Sergey Nemchinov, two-time Stanley Cup winner, does not believe in such a development of the situation.
Having played 11 seasons in the NHL, the striker is confident that Kaprizov plans to sign a so-called bridge contract lasting three to four years, after which he will think about a new agreement.
“He understands everything perfectly.
Kirill had a great season, he was recognized as the first newcomer to the NHL, and I don't think he will slow down.
Will only add, and the leadership of "Minnesota" understands this.
As for his contract with CSKA for $ 10 million, these are all rumors.
Why comment on the rumors.
If it were officially announced from the CSKA club or from the KHL, then yes, but so ... I think they will agree there, "- quoted by Nemchinov Legalbet.
Nevertheless, in CSKA itself, they reacted rather cautiously to rumors about the possible arrival of Kaprizov, noting that everything was in the hands of the hockey player himself.
“CSKA will be glad if Kirill Kaprizov continues his career in our club.
But everything depends on Kaprizov's position and his willingness to negotiate his return to the team, ”the Sport24 press service said.
Against the background of reports of a multi-million dollar contract with CSKA, rumors about a possible exchange between Minnesota and the Buffalo Sabers seem much more realistic. The other day FAN, citing The Hockey News, reported that Caprice could go to New York, while star forward Jack Eikel would follow in the opposite direction. It is noteworthy that both hockey players were selected in the 2015 draft, but if the Russian left the fair under the 135th number, then the American - under the second. Previously, only Connor McDavid left the talent fair.
True, Minnesota is already at risk here.
On the one hand, they get a striker who has a solid experience of performing at the highest level, on the other, they are prone to injury.
Last season, Aykel went out on the ice only in the 21st match and scored only 18 points (2 + 16) with a usefulness index of "-9".
Currently, the athlete is diagnosed with a herniated disc in the cervical spine, but there is no certainty with the method of treatment.
“More viable is the exchange of Caprice in Buffalo for Jack Eicel, who was talked about overseas.
This is a completely possible option.
Another thing is that it is not known in what state Aikel is?
And he has a valid contract for $ 10 million. So it would be more logical for Minnesota to give this money to Kaprizov.
Nevertheless, this exchange still looks more real than the return of Kirill to CSKA, "Weisfeld said.
As for the leadership of Minnesota, Guerin continues to remain calm.
According to the functionary, negotiations are continuing and there is still time for a final decision.
And this is even taking into account the possible agreement of intent with Kaprizov with CSKA.
“I think things are going well.
We still have plenty of time.
I see no reason for panic or haste.
I am constantly in touch with Kirill's agent.
We are moving forward, "the NHL press service quotes Gerina.
According to Hockey Unfiltered journalist Ken Campbell, Wild's general manager has every reason to behave this way. One way or another, the rights to Kaprizov will continue to belong to the club even if he spends the next year in Russia. Upon his return, he will find himself in exactly the same conditions as now - he will not be able to sign a contract with another club or demand that the case be considered in arbitration.