The latest on Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, updates on the Penguins, the latest on Ducks winger Mason McTavish, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON KAPRIZOV’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

STARTRIBUNE.COM: Sarah McLellan reports Kirill Kaprizov is focusing on training camp as the Minnesota Wild prepare for the coming 2025-26 regular season.

Neither he nor Wild general manager Bill Guerin said much about the status of their contract negotiations. Guerin called the talks “private”, but added that things were going fine. “The most important thing is we want to sign Kirill,” Guerin said.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Kaprizov is leaving the contract issues to his agent, Paul Theofanous. He indicated that he wants to stay with the Wild. “You guys know I like Minny, and everyone knows this,” Kaprizov said. “We have a lot of time. It’s just 2025, and it’s one more year I have. I just want to play hockey and focus and win some games and go in playoffs and win from there. Just focus on this now.”

The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of a five-year deal worth $45 million. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July if he and the Wild fail to agree to a new deal by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov’s recent rejection of an eight-year, $128 million offer from the Wild raised eyebrows as well as questions about his future with the club.

Kaprizov’s remarks were the first he’s made on the subject. It’s apparent he doesn’t want this to be a distraction, but the longer he goes without an extension, the more speculation will grow.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports Penguins GM Kyle Dubas spoke with the media on Thursday about the club’s plans for the coming season.

Dubas indicated that the message to the veteran players is that the younger players are coming and will get every opportunity to make the roster. The veterans know what the expectation is if they want to retain their jobs. If a younger player earns a roster spot, Dubas will deal with the fallout regardless of the veteran’s salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Dubas will trade or demote the veteran to make room for the younger player.

Dubas also downplayed a recent comment by Sidney Crosby’s agent suggesting there was always a possibility that his client could be traded. He expects a better performance from defenseman Erik Karlsson this season, and shrugged off a report claiming the Penguins had reached out to free-agent goaltender Carter Hart.

The Penguins GM said he’d had plenty of trade discussions during the offseason, but he wasn’t just going to offload key veterans. “So if the right return is there, we would look at anything, and in the meantime, we’re gonna do everything we can to get the most out of those guys.”

TSN: Dubas also said that there was no change in Evgeni Malkin’s contract status. Management will meet with the 39-year-old center during the Olympic break to discuss his future. Malkin is in the final season of a four-year contract with a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be Malkin’s last in the NHL. A great player in his prime, his performance has declined in recent years as age and injuries have taken a toll. He’s said that he wants to retire as a Penguin, but that depends on his play this season and if he wants to continue his playing career.

Karlsson said he’s not surprised that he wasn’t traded this summer despite plenty of rumors about his future with the Penguins. “It was a quiet summer for me,” he said. “Didn’t really hear much other than what I read from you guys (reporters) and all the other people around the league, which is typical for the offseason.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson frequently surfaced in media trade chatter this summer. However, the decline in his performance over the last two years, combined with his hefty salary-cap hit through 2026-27, makes him a tough sell in the trade market.

THE LATEST FREE-AGENT CHATTER

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Mason McTavish is training with the OHL’s Ottawa 67s as contract negotiations continue with the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old center hasn’t requested a trade and wants to stay in Anaheim. There hasn’t been any real offer-sheet talk.

LeBrun’s colleague, Eric Stephens, indicated both sides remain interested in getting a long-term deal done and remain in regular contact. However, this is starting to dredge up memories of the previous contract standoffs with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, who are no longer with the club.

Stephens claims the Ducks have no interest in trading McTavish, who they see as an important part of their roster going forward. However, he believes GM Pat Verbeek needs to get this deal done soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek has a well-earned reputation as a tough negotiator with players coming off their entry-level contracts. The more training camp time McTavish misses, the more likely it is that it will adversely affect his performance this season.

LeBrun also touched on the contract standoff between the Nashville Predators and restricted free agent Luke Evangelista. He stated that GM Barry Trotz has no intention of trading the young forward. Contract talks are expected to resume on Friday.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an NHL executive said the Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams showing an interest in goaltender Carter Hart.