3:28pm: Interestingly, as Russo points out, Kaprizov seems to indicate the contract isn’t finished yet in a recent interview with Sovsport. As with any deal between the KHL and NHL, take all sources with a grain of salt before we have confirmation the contract is signed.
12:41pm: Rumors have been swirling today about the future of Minnesota Wild draft pick Kirill Kaprizov, with KHL insider Aivis Kalnins originally reporting a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow. Though there was some doubt in the report because Michael Russo of the Star Tribune couldn’t get an answer from Kaprizov’s agents, the KHL themselves have now tweeted out that he’ll stay for the next three years.
Kaprizov was Minnesota’s fifth-round selection in 2015, but has talent to play in any league he wants eventually. Scoring 42 points in 49 games last season in the KHL, and captaining the Russian World Junior team to a bronze medal—a tournament in which he scored 12 points in 7 games and was named best forward—he had quite the season. Short but not out-muscled often, Kaprizov can rack up points in all situations. Moving to CSKA will surround him with even more talent, and likely push his point totals even higher.
He turned 20 just this April, meaning he still has plenty of time to continue his game in North America should he choose to come to the NHL eventually. It’s not clear if that’s his eventual goal, but for now the Wild will watch his development from afar. After trading Alex Tuch to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Wild are starting to thin out in terms of forward prospects, and will now rely on Luke Kunin and Jordan Greenway as the key pieces going forward. Remember they did not have a first or second round pick this year, though nabbed young OHL forward Ivan Lodnia in the third round.