NHL Rumor Mill – July 29, 2025
Check out the latest on Kirill Kaprizov, plus suggested destinations for free-agent winger Max Pacioretty in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo noted the Minnesota Wild have yet to accomplish their main offseason goals of re-signing winger Kirill Kaprizov and center Marco Rossi.
The Wild and Kaprizov camps are taking a breather, with general manager Bill Guerin expected to have a face-to-face meeting with the winger when he returns to the Twin Cities in August.
Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).
Kaprizov has stated that he enjoys playing for the Wild. Guerin and team owner Craig Leipold have expressed confidence that they’ll get a deal done. An eight-year contract with an average annual value of $15 million isn’t something that would be out of the question.
Nevertheless, several burning questions could determine the outcome of this situation. They include Kaprizov’s willingness to stay in Minnesota, what happens if he prefers a short-term contract, and whether he seeks an AAV that proves too expensive for the Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith and Russo suggest that the most important factor is convincing Kaprizov that the Wild intend to build and maintain a winner. They also pointed out that his previous contract negotiations weren’t resolved until days before the start of training camp.
Something could happen that derails the Wild’s plans. For example, Kaprizov could seek the maximum salary that an NHL player can make in one season. A player can earn no more than 20 percent of the salary cap.
Kaprizov’s new contract would begin in 2026-27. With that season’s cap set at $104 million, his AAV would be $20.8 million.
However, it seems more likely that the two sides will agree to a long-term deal around $15 million annually. It could take some time to get there, perhaps before training camp opens in September.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello looked at five possible destinations for Max Pacioretty. The 35-year-old winger remains an unrestricted free agent.
One option could be the Montreal Canadiens. However, he’d likely be a part-time player as he has been in recent years, while the Canadiens need someone who can be in the lineup more often.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens acquired promising Zack Bolduc earlier this month, so they do not need an aging winger with an injury history, even if he is a former Hab. Their priority remains adding a second-line center, which Pacioretty doesn’t address.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal suggested Pacioretty as a replacement for Corey Perry. However, they’d have to shed salary to do so as they’re pressed against the cap.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Because of their limited cap space, the Oilers are probably done adding to their roster.
Augello suggested one of the New York area teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are retooling, and the Islanders could be rebuilding soon. They’re unlikely to be interested in Pacioretty. The Devils need another top-six winger, but Pacioretty can no longer fill that role.
The Detroit Red Wings are a possibility as Pacioretty makes his offseason home in Michigan. However, there’s no indication that Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is interested.
Augello rounds out his list with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty played for them last season, and they have left the door open for his return. However, that will depend on the outcome of Nick Robertson’s upcoming arbitration hearing and whether they can shed some salary.
Bring max to the pens! He’d fit in well with our crowd of bottom six wingers!
No thank you.
He could join Hayes and Accari in WBS!
I realize you’re joking re Patches here; but just the thought still makes one’s stomach turn
I would sign Leason to 1 yr $900 K — $1 M
Let him battle it out with the other mid/young 20’s guys for spot on roster
6’5”. 225, just turned 26. Rightie. Mostly played wing but can and has spotted in at C; UFA
82 game pace of 22 points, playing very sparingly on the Ducks
One year removed from 83 G pace of 13-13-26 (Ducks as well, minuscule minutes)
This is an excellent change of scenery, no risk; fair chance of positive return move
It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Pacioretty gets a PTO in Detroit.
I agree, I PTO is probably the only way MP gets a contract this fall.
I love Max and appreciate the effort and goal scoring he brought to the Habs. But that ship has sailed. He’s less than a shell of the player he once was and has been sidelined by injury far more often than he’s played the past few seasons. He’s better off retiring.
Max will forever be fondly remembered in Montreal for his 5 30+ goal seasons and for being traded for Nick Suzuki. The gift that keeps on giving.
I will say he had a pretty good play of run. But ya, cancer what…twice?…A ruptured achilles twice? Might be time to say you’ve proven all you need to prove.
Agree … maybe he’s one of the more pertinent members of the group described here – much like Gordie Howe was
https://theconversation.com/the-psychology-of-retirement-why-do-so-many-athletes-struggle-to-call-time-234559
Kaprizov is not worth $15M a season long term. Maybe $12M but I wouldn’t go higher.
Maybe compared to other superstar salaries around the league, but he’s got Guerrin in a bind.
Guerrin absolutely cannot let him leave… the team would be devastated if he walked, and his agent knows it, especially with a rising cap.
He’s not getting close to $15M because he deserves it…. he’ll get close to $15M because Minny cannot let him go.
I think he’s going to get the $15M, but he’s not worth it. He’s not a number one center, a top goalie or a premium defenseman that logs 25+ minutes a night. He’s a left winger.
15 mil is about right. Rising cap and all. Hes a top 5 forward. Pending ufa. He’d get that on the open market.
Max I heard a good quote last week from N.Lidstrom about retiring. Leave the game ,before your game leaves you.Relay that message to James Van Riesmdyk.
Depends.
Lidstrom was probably of the mindset to project his HOF career from a perceived downturn.
JVR doesn’t have to worry about that, so if he wants to keep playing for the love of the game in a lesser role for less money, let him keep going.
Hell, Jagr is still playing because he loves it (though not NHL).
Apparently so is backstrom
Foleyd7, how about giving a younger player an opportunity.Rumor has it that Jagr owes some money.
Was at a banquet with Curtis Joseph as the guest speaker. He claimed they had to tear the jersey off his back. I think he hit 20 years or thereabouts. I think most NHL’s feel that way.
McD is not at 20%,
A left winger certainly will not. Superstar but when have the Wild won a series
Silver screen,how many series has the TML and core 4 won?
Kaprizov per 82 game numbers are better than top wingers.(47+ g 99 points) Problem is he’s never played an 82 game season, averaging only 63 games a season. Mariner and Rantanen will start getting 12m per this season. Panarin is in last year of 7 year deal at 11.6 per. Draisaitl is a center starting a new 14m per as a center but, how many points does he get playing part time/ PP with McDavid? With cap being higher next season, 13m per is reasonable.
SilverSeven how many series has the TML and core 4 won?
What is 2 ?
Alex Trebec says you’re the winner. 🙂
Quite frankly, I didn’t understand the purpose of the question in the first place.
Krill is the main draw for wild, so you have to factor that in. My problem is the last time they over spent (parise & suter) they got nothing in return, and screwed for several years. Up to Bill to decide if he can balance one highly paid player with several low paid players and get a cup.