I feel like Dubas would go hard for Kaprizov. Something like 10OA + Pickering + Smith as cap dump
I don't pretend to be any kind of GM whisperer. but if you want to assemble a package for Kap, I am confident no cap dumps will be acceptable to BillyG. You all are going to have some very dark rebuilding years coming up. I highly doubt that Kirill "I didn't come over here to play with shit" Kaprizov is going to re-sign with Pittsburgh.
Kaprizov is one of the most electric players in the NHL. He really does seem to enjoy his time as a Wild, and thriving as a mentor to Marat Khusnutdinov(he need a short nickname asap).
The 2025 off-season might be the most critical offseason in franchise history. As those big buyout hits will be gone BillyG is going to have to assemble a real strong team if he want to keep Kap in the fold.
If worst case Kap will not extend, I hope beyond hope he doesn't hinge the trade with a unprotected 1st as the center piece. I'm thinking more a Lindrosian level return. But I guess it all depends on the wild card we have in our GM. Who knows, maybe if catch you him on tequila night he might conduct a trade he regrets the next day
JEE is easier. When the Wild lose a significant player to injury, they are typically deep and savvy enough to cover it and still maintain that elite level of mediocrity the Wild are renowned for. When we lose Ek it is a completely different lottery pick level team. He's the lynch pin that holds this teams identity together. i.e. our Patrice Bergeron. Overpay definitely required with this cat. I legit seeing him as the most likely Wild lifer on this team.