NHL Rumor Mill – September 12, 2025
Check out the latest speculation about Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and Bruins forward Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON KIRILL KAPRIZOV
SPORTSNET: During yesterday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said the Minnesota Wild were surprised that Kirill Kaprizov rejected their offer of an eight-year, $128 million contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov, 28, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The average annual value (AAV) of his current contract is $9 million, and he carries a full no-movement clause. The Wild’s offer had an AAV of $16 million, which would’ve made him the NHL’s highest-paid player, or at least, the highest-paid until Connor McDavid signs his new contract, but that’s another story.
Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).
The Wild must now assess different options to address this situation. One could be increasing their offer. Another could be attempting a sign-and-trade scenario with another team. They could ask Kaprizov which teams he’d be willing to waive his NMC for.
Friedman believes the Kaprizov camp rejected the Wild’s offer because there could be a rival club willing to make him a more expensive proposal. “There’s somebody out there sending up smoke signals, saying ‘We can do better,” Friedman said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any team that might be signaling a more lucrative offer to the Kaprizov camp had better tread carefully. Under the CBA, making contract offers to a rival player already under contract is considered tampering.
Despite speculation suggesting Kaprizov prefers a short-term deal, Friedman thinks the winger wants to get as many years as possible because of his injury history.
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports rumors claiming that the Wild asked Kaprizov for a list of trade destinations are unfounded. “The Wild have not and will not be asking Kaprizov for a trade list,” a source close to the Wild told D’Amico.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michael Russo, the Wild beat writer for The Athletic, also shot down that rumor.
Contract negotiations between the two sides are ongoing. A source close to the situation claims the Kaprizov camp is pushing for a deal closer to the league maximum of 20 percent of the salary cap, preferring something between $18 million and $19 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first season of Kaprizov’s new contract is 2026-27. With the salary cap reaching $104 million next season, the maximum average annual salary he can get is $20.8 million.
A source also told D’Amico that Kaprizov and his representatives are waiting to see what Connor McDavid’s next contract will be. The Edmonton Oilers superstar is also UFA-eligible next summer. It’s expected that McDavid’s next contract will reset the market, giving Kaprizov leverage for a record-breaking deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid would get the league maximum if he asks for it, but he could also accept a little less than market value to give the Oilers some cap flexibility to add players to the roster. His camp could also be waiting to see what Kaprizov gets, which could lead to both players spending months waiting to see what the other one gets.
SHOULD THE SENATORS PURSUE SIDNEY CROSBY?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch wondered if adding Sidney Crosby might make sense for the Senators should the Pittsburgh Penguins captain become available in the trade market.
Garrioch cited the analysts at TSN’s “Overdrive” afternoon radio show, naming the Senators as one of the teams that might consider the possibility, suggesting they’ll be trying to win the Stanley Cup within the next two or three years.
Jeff O’Neill believes Penguins GM Kyle Dubas would want a talented young player (like defenseman Jake Sanderson) or top prospects for the 38-year-old Crosby, who is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $8.7 million and a full no-movement clause.
The Montreal Canadiens have been mentioned as a destination because they were Crosby’s favorite team growing up. O’Neill upset Canadiens fans by suggesting the Penguins would demand promising winger Ivan Demidov or Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Lane Hutson as part of the return.
Garrioch also noted the Colorado Avalanche are also considered a potential destination, in part because of Crosby’s friendship with Avs star Nathan MacKinnon.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby will draw plenty of interest if he’s willing to be traded before his contract expires. The Senators will likely look into it. Whether they have the assets that would tempt the Penguins, or the willingness to meet the asking price, is another matter.
As for the Canadiens, trading a top prospect like Demidov or a rising star like Hutson would go against everything that their management has been building over the past three years. They seek success over the long term, not short-term gains that could delay or derail their goal of perennial Stanley Cup contention.
CANADIENS AND FLAMES SAID TO BE INTERESTED IN PAVEL ZACHA
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an NHL source claims the Canadiens and the Calgary Flames are among the teams to have inquired about the availability of Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha, 28, is in the third season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.75 million. The versatile forward also has an eight-team no-trade list.
No deal is imminent, but different trade scenarios have been discussed. No names are confirmed, but Murphy’s source said Canadiens forward prospects Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen, and defenseman Jayden Struble, have been mentioned as trade candidates as the club continues its search for a second-line center. The Canadiens are reportedly reluctant to mess with their young core for any center.
Multiple sources said that the trade chatter surrounding Zacha this summer hasn’t been coming from the Bruins, but from the teams interested in acquiring him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope to bounce back from last season’s poor performance. Trading Zacha would weaken their depth among their top-six forwards. However, the likelihood of his availability will increase if the Bruins struggle during the opening weeks of this season.
Prospects like Roy and Kapanen and roster players like Struble are the kind of players the Canadiens would be willing to dangle in their quest to shore up their depth at center. Depending on the center, they could also include a draft pick in the deal.
As for the Flames, they would prefer a center with a right-hand shot. Zacha shoots left, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be interested if he becomes available.
When names like Demidov, Hutson and Sanderson enter into the picture as part of any exchange for 38 y/o Crosby, forget it!
George Thoughts on this trade..
To Montreal Sidney Crosby
To Pittsburgh KIrby Dach Alex Newhook 2026 1st 2027 2nd
Montreal doesn’t give up any huge stars and gets Crosby
Pittsburgh gets two 25 year old center for this year and next when Malkin and Sid are gone.
Montreal down the middle goes Suzuki Crosby Evans Beck
Suzuki Caufiled Laine
Crosby Demidov Slavkofsky
Evans Gallagher Anderson
Beck Blais Bolduc
pretty terrific
Yeah! Crosby’s a bum. He hasn’t won anything like these other guys did.
😂
No, not at all … and you know damned well that that is NOT what I meant. In a trolling mood today, Ron??
The key entry in what I posted was “38 y/o.” As LJ posted elsewhere – and to which I fully agree – Crosby for the likes of Hutson, Demidov or Sanderson – all in their early 20s – is NOT going to turn either Montreal or Ottawa into serious contenders for the cup in whatever time he last left as a player. But any one of those 3 certainly could.
Now, Crosby to Florida or Vegas or Colorado or Edmonton is a horse of a different colour.
Blackngold, while I think Montreal would do that deal in a heartbeat, in Pittsburgh it would mean walking papers for Dubas. Even with the 1st and 2nd tossed in since both would figure to be well down the list in each round, since the Habs are a team on the rise regardless of whether they got Crosby or not.
Dude lives under a bridge George.
No need to get upset at O’Neill. He was just expressing his thoughts. But if the return for a couple of years of late 30s Crosby includes Hutson or Demidov it’s a hard pass from Hughes and all sane Habs fans.
If the Habs could get Zacha for two of Struble, Roy and Kapanen, I’d do it. But as suggested by others, Boston is not looking to trade him now. Obviously that could change if they get off to a bad start.
Very hard to think that another team id willing to pay more than $128 M (and note, that’s in a 7 year contract)
I’m sure he’s not “nickle and diming” looking to sign elsewhere just to get $1 – $2 M more ($130 M ‘ish); IF $’s is inly interest AND he feels he can get more elsewhere; it’s at least $135 M (extra $7 M gross)
That’s $19.3 M AAV
No way
Kaprisov (Winger) with injury history, can’t possibly get $19.3 M/yr for 7
He must either (1) want out of Minnie; OR (2) want shorter contract, betting on himself and his health; to cash in on bigger contract (after bridge; OR (3) terms of $128 M contract were not to his liking (perhaps offer was mostly Sal with low SBs)
I don’t believe Zacha is in the block at all. That doesn’t mean teams aren’t calling. There’s not one Bruins insider that has any real Bruins inside news. The Boston media and Bruins all hate each other. If a rumor comes out of Boston it’s just that 99% of the time. I trust Canadian media far more than Boston. Zach is Pasta’s good buddy and countryman and is tge 4th best forward on the club. He’s versatile and plays all 3 forward positions. He’s solid in all 3 zones. Not being traded
Paul B – I thought the same thing about Josh Norris – Tkachuk’s good buddy and countryman – and a top points producer in Ottawa – yet he’s now in Buffalo and Cozens is here in Ottawa.
I don’t know if Zacha is or isn’t on the trade block but Zacha is a hot and cold player. The Bruins are in a strange position because the defense and goaltending (assuming a comeback by Swayman) should be at least solid while the forward group excluding Pasta is so poor they could blow this position up and go with young players and therefore trade Zacha.
I wonder if Ottawa becoming interested drives up the price if Montreal is Crosby s destination. Their interest certainly might keep Montreal on its toes.
The reality of the Habs’ acquiring Sid is event more so for the Sens. They have fewer prospects to offer, and Crosby would not move their needle into legit contender either.
I believe George coughed up a fur ball on your suggestion.
If McDavid could get the league maximum, then why would he need to wait on Kaprizov?
If the Canadiens are building for the long haul (they are), then why would they trade legit young prospects for a middling 2C with 2 years left on his contract? Would it not make sense to see how their season starts first?
And why would the Bs trade a center when they would need to go out and get one to replace him. And don’t say to get McKenna, given how the league has shielded the draft from tanking.
Did I miss something? I thought Guerin addressed the rumor of Kaprizov turning down a deal. 9m per was a pretty nice haul. Are they really going to double that? I don’t see it. And as far as Pittsburgh, no trades yet. So there’s no reason for Crosby to be going anywhere. Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell still there. So are the 11 pending ufa’s. Really no point in talking about Crosby until new year.
Maf!! One more ride for the future hofer. I love it.
Thought you were pranking us; OR that he (MAF) was!?!?
Then I saw all the posts
The strangest one is from Jim Parsons (The Hockey News)
“ Fleury will practice with the Penguins on September 26 and play parts of the preseason exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27 at PPG Paints Arena. From there, he’ll likely go back into retirement mode.”
Why would Fleury effectively come out of his previously stated retirement just to play one pre-season game, then re-retire????
Unless he just wanted to have his last actual contract (albeit a PTO) be with the Pens
I love The Flower. Would be great for one last hurrah
I hope this isn’t a ruse move by Dubas in light of the “trade Crosby rumors” , to keep Sid happy and avoid Sid from asking out
Sid and his agent are obviously (recent comments by both not shutting down trade rumours as they had done consistently before) not happy that Dubas spent the entire summer without moving one of EK, Rust, Rakell and/or making reasonable moves to improve team for these next 2 years (Sid’s extension)
Sold out preseason game! Imma lead the chants!
One more year! One more year!
Kaprizov thing is IDK unbelievable to me. I know there is always comments on here about these guys are the best of the best but these expected raises by the players are really overboard. Wants to double his salary and 0 SC. I Felt that way previously on here with I think hagel last year and another defenseman who name escapes me. Dosen’t this pattern just make it more difficult for owners and management to fill out the best roster possible for every team despite the cap increases? This makes me more concerned about Necas and he will want some exhorbitant amount to re-up with the Avalanche?
8 team NTC almost always include all Canadian based teams.
I can’t see the Habs sending help to the Bruins.