"It looks like Kirill Kaprisov heads to Chicago for 2026": His contract demands could be met by the Blackhawks
Photo credit: Amy Irvin / Hockey Writers
A new update on Kirill Kaprizov's contract is likely to change things for the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the 2026 free agency.
The Minnesota Wild's top priority this offseason has been to re-sign Kaprizov, who's entering the final year of a five-year, $45 million deal. While GM Bill Guerin has publicly expressed confidence about locking up the franchise winger long-term, The Athletic's Michael Russo reports the situation is far from settled.
"Bill Guerin has been extremely publicly confident that they are going to get it done. But from what I checked on the last couple days, they are not close."
Kaprizov, 28, is undeniably elite. Despite missing 41 games last season, he still scored 56 points in 53 games. Since joining the Wild in 2020, he's scored 185 goals and added 201 assists in 319 games.
Kaprizov To Become The Highest-Paid Winger in the NHL?
Russo made it clear: Minnesota will need to break the bank to keep him.
"I think he's definitely going to surpass (Leon) Draisaitl. This is one franchise that has never had a superstar like (Kirill) Kaprizov... He will become the highest paid winger in the National Hockey League."
This development directly impacts the Chicago Blackhawks, who have been loosely tied to Kaprizov via rumors circulating online.
Eklund reported on X that Chicago could potentially pursue both Kaprizov and Artemi Panarin in the summer of 2026.
However, that fantasy could now come to light, with the Chicago Blackhawks having all the current cap space in the world with $22M available currently.
And timing remains a mystery.
"I think, at this point, they're going to take a little bit of a breather here... It's going to be one of those things, where they're probably... going to have to get together and get this done."
Stay tuned for updates, and buckle up Blackhawks fans!
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