Speculation: Russo on the status of Kaprizov’s contract negotiations

[Boondock]

The Wild beat writer indicated that Kaprizov was asking for an 8 figure salary on a 3 year deal. If you don’t believe that, ok. But the best evidence we have is that he is not yet signed.

Do you know how many reports come out year after year of what players are looking for and they are very seldom correct. This off season there were 10 different "so and so wants this much" threads and I don't think any of them were accurate. I believe this deal isn't done because the Wild have offered a 1yr QO or 5+ year deals. But we will see, lots of reports, lots of opinions...

 

[rynryn]

My problem with this is that what does "ridiculous" really mean. If Russo had numbers he would report numbers. So that means he's hearing "ridiculous" from someone, obviously from the team's side of the negotiating table. So I don't think it's a matter of trusting or not trusting Russo, but understanding that there's likely some bias in the information he's getting.

This isn't at all an insult to Russo, who is fantastic, but IMO anytime an insider reports adjectives like that instead hard contract terms, being wary is a good thing.

from what i could tell it sounds like every GM, Scout, Player Dev guy etc Russo has been talking to has wanted to talk to him about Kaprizov and the deal the Wild is offering is what they consider ridiculous. The fact that he hasn't taken it yet means whatever he's asking is that much more ridiculous. Sounds like it's an open secret in front offices around the league. maybe BG shopping him and having to tell the other GM what they might expect?

 

[Jugitsu]

I understand this, but the Wild made choices that are coming back to roost. KK is under Minnesota control for 3 more seasons. Cap issues that were created by others isn't a KK problem. It might be a Wild trying to get KK under contract problem, but it isn't KK's responsibility to sign to a term that helps the Wild navigate their cap issues.

While the dead cap isn’t Kirill’s fault it definitely is his problem. His choices have led him without arbitration rights and all the cards of his NHL career in the hands of the team he’s trying to get rid off of as fast as possible. Not a nice situation to be in. The Wild has called his bluff and now have all the leverage, which I can’t really blame them for. As much as it’s not Kirill’s responsibility to sign for a team friendly term, it isn’t the team’s responsibility to help Kirill to maximize his options and profits.

Kirill seems like a genuinely nice young guy. So at this point I’m hoping for a compromise of a mid term deal of 4 years and a promise of a trade. Kirill gets to go to a more desirable destination and the Wild potentially get a good return. But I think at least one UFA year has to be included. The next best thing I think is to let him sit out the season. I think staying with the Wild for a long term is off the table.

 

[Seras]

You can get the vast majority of players to take whatever you are offering, some players who consider themselves to be at or near the top though often don't have to settle because they are irreplaceable, and they know it.

So you deal with them on their level, or you don't and hope it still works out

 

[rynryn]

one thing i learned on the latest Worst Seats in the House podcast (Russo) was that the Wild had been buying and shipping Kirills pro stock sticks for him while he was in russia. I don't think a disinterested team would be doing that.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Do you know how many reports come out year after year of what players are looking for and they are very seldom correct. This off season there were 10 different "so and so wants this much" threads and I don't think any of them were accurate. I believe this deal isn't done because the Wild have offered a 1yr QO or 5+ year deals. But we will see, lots of reports, lots of opinions...

These aren’t ordinary reports, these are from the long time beat writer for the Wild. Not some nobody. If you have reason to believe he is wrong, post it.

 

[Bazeek]

Neither of your numbered points change the fact that he is only obligated to be under team control for 7 years after he's drafted. How he chose to utilize those years doesn't change the time he is under control. It reduces his negotiating options (1 year longer to be arb eligible) but this still doesn't change the fact that he wants to be a free agent as soon as possible. Secondly if this was just about money, he wouldn't be fighting about term, he would be fighting about AAV and by all accounts this is not the issue.

He is not obligated, but as has been pointed out multiple times in this thread: he has an easy route straight to UFA if he so chooses. If this is about term, the QO's are the route that the CBA provides for him.

So then the conversation turns to money, because the QO is obviously quite low. Now we get back to the question of arbitration rights and whether or not the Wild have some obligation to offer him more money on short term. I have yet to see a compelling argument for that.

 

[Boondock]

These aren’t ordinary reports, these are from the long time beat writer for the Wild. Not some nobody. If you have reason to believe he is wrong, post it.

I don't believe any reports I hear with numbers attached regardless of who post it. They are seldom correct and are typically leaked by one side to skew opinion or are click bait. We should know within a week or so if there is any truth to him wanting over 10million on a 3 year contract.

 

[rynryn]

who is speculating the $10m+/yr for 3 years deal?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

It would be one thing if we weren't (reportedly) offering to pay him extremely generously for the 2 UFA years that we want, but it seems like we are.

And for a guy that "doesn't want to be in Minnesota any longer than he has to", why would 3 years even be on the table from his side and not just a trade request/demand? He doesn't want to "waste 5 years in mediocrity", but he's cool "wasting" 3?

 

[Boondock]

It would be one thing if we weren't (reportedly) offering to pay him extremely generously for the 2 UFA years that we want, but it seems like we are.

And for a guy that "doesn't want to be in Minnesota any longer than he has to", why would 3 years even be on the table from his side and not just a trade request/demand? He doesn't want to "waste 5 years in mediocrity", but he's cool "wasting" 3?

I've never heard him say he doesn't want to be in Minnesota. I have heard that he wants to be a UFA as soon as possible. If the team is good through his time there and they are playoff contenders on the regular, he discovers one of the 10,000 lakes or he loves the Cheesecake Factory at the Edina mall maybe he sticks around? I could see him asking for a trade depending on how these negotiations go.

 

[Minnesnota]

He is not obligated, but as has been pointed out multiple times in this thread: he has an easy route straight to UFA if he so chooses. If this is about term, the QO's are the route that the CBA provides for him.

So then the conversation turns to money, because the QO is obviously quite low. Now we get back to the question of arbitration rights and whether or not the Wild have some obligation to offer him more money on short term. I have yet to see a compelling argument for that.

@Boondock Any time you want to address this would be a good time.

 

[rynryn]

It would be one thing if we weren't (reportedly) offering to pay him extremely generously for the 2 UFA years that we want, but it seems like we are.

And for a guy that "doesn't want to be in Minnesota any longer than he has to", why would 3 years even be on the table from his side and not just a trade request/demand? He doesn't want to "waste 5 years in mediocrity", but he's cool "wasting" 3?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I've never heard him say he doesn't want to be in Minnesota. I have heard that he wants to be a UFA as soon as possible. If the team is good through his time there and they are playoff contenders on the regular, he discovers one of the 10,000 lakes or he loves the Cheesecake Factory at the Edina mall maybe he sticks around? I could see him asking for a trade depending on how these negotiations go.

Those two things are one in the same.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Those two things are one in the same.

Not really. The second means he wants to make as most money as possible. It doesn't exclude that money coming from Minnesota.

 

[Hanji]

It would be one thing if we weren't (reportedly) offering to pay him extremely generously for the 2 UFA years that we want, but it seems like we are.

And for a guy that "doesn't want to be in Minnesota any longer than he has to", why would 3 years even be on the table from his side and not just a trade request/demand? He doesn't want to "waste 5 years in mediocrity", but he's cool "wasting" 3?

Because if Kaprizov demands a trade, he’s not in a position dictate where.
Guerin will trade him to whoever gives the Wild the best return.
For all we know it could be Arizona or Buffalo (for Eichel??) and Kaprizov will be in a worse position.

Considering all possibilities, 3 years in mediocre Minny is probably fine for Kirill, but no thank you to anything beyond UFA. He wants the heck out of Dodge.

 

[heisenbergsitti]

Because if Kaprizov demands a trade, he’s not in a position dictate where.
Guerin will trade him to whoever gives the Wild the best return.
For all we know it could be Arizona or Buffalo (for Eichel??) and Kaprizov will be in a worse position.

Considering all possibilities, 3 years in mediocre Minny in probably fine for Kirill, but no thank you to anything beyond UFA. He wants the heck out of Dodge.

You have zero proof of this besides the continue bs narratives of yours, and others. People like you want kaprizov in big market so much.

 

[Hanji]

You have zero proof of this besides the continue bs narratives of yours, and others. People like you want kaprizov in big market so much.

Nobody has proof of anything at this point. So much of what is happening is behind closed doors.
I’m just giving my opinion on what I think the most likely scenario is, just like everybody else in this thread.
If that’s too much for you to handle, well, sorry.

 

[heisenbergsitti]

Nobody has proof of anything at this point. So much of what is happening is behind closed doors.
I’m just giving my opinion on what I think the most likely scenario is, just like everybody else in this thread.
If that’s too much for you to handle, well, sorry.

Again opinion isn't most likely. You saying he probably wants out without having facts. Just admit that you are forming an opinion without seeing the wild side like many other wild fans have been saying to others. It's a two way street

 

[Hanji]

Again opinion isn't most likely. You saying he probably wants out without having facts. Just admit that you are forming an opinion without seeing the wild side like many other wild fans have been saying to others. It's a two way street

Nobody has all the facts.
Because of such, I’m predicating my opinion on past actions. Kaprizov was drafted 6 years ago, is a 1st line NHL talent, yet has only played 55 games with Minnesota. 4 years ago he turned down joining the Wild in favor of CSKA, and after finally committing to Minnesota (albeit for 1 year) is in a nasty negotiation dispute where he wants UFA asap.
Shit, one of the Russian guys here posted a link where Kaprizov said he likes his Russian coach more than Evason.

This leads all me to believe his heart isn’t in Minnesota. People who truly want to be part of an organization generally don’t act like this. But again, who knows. It’s all speculation at this point, all around.

 

[Chrisinroch]

No, Kaprizov will compromise too by agreeing to sign for much less money than if it was a long-term contract..

That’s not a compromise on his part. He’s offering something that’s less valuable to the buyer so the price comes down.

 

[Fatass]

Would both sides agree to 3x8?

 

[ThatGuy22]

Would both sides agree to 3x8?

Way to high AAV for that term

 

[Sota Popinski]

Would both sides agree to 3x8?

You think the Wild are going to reward Kaprizov for this BS with the richest bridge deal ever that walks him straight to UFA?

 

[Fatass]

Way to high AAV for that term

Is KK not an 8+ mil player though?