CSKA Moscow Says Kirill Kaprizov Not Joining Their Roster This Season

Michael Russo of The Athletic has been keeping up with the Kirill Kaprizov situation out of Minnesota as any scribe possibly could. He provided an update on Monday regarding contract talks and offered some good news for Wild fans who are hoping the “offer” on the table from CSKA Moscow isn’t real.

Related: Insiders Claim Kaprizov KHL Offer Is “Worst Bluff in Sports History”

A contract doesn’t sound imminent, but the good news on the Kirill Kaprizov contract talks with the #mnwild, there’s been a lot of conversation lately between the Wild and the Calder Trophy winner’s side. Also, CSKA Moscow has publicly stated he’s not playing there this season.

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) August 23, 2021

Russo writes that the KHL — at least CSKA Moscow — is no longer an option for Kaprizov this coming season. He explains, “A contract doesn’t sound imminent, but the good news on the Kirill Kaprizov contract talks with the #mnwild, there’s been a lot of conversation lately between the Wild and the Calder Trophy winner’s side. Also, CSKA Moscow has publicly stated he’s not playing there this season.”

Essentially, CSKA Moscow has either pulled out of the running for the player or the player has let them know he’s going to sign again in the NHL. At this point, it’s just a matter of ironing out the details of a contract with the Wild, something that should get done here sooner than later.

There’s been a ton of speculation that the Wild have had difficulty with this contract negotiation. All the while, GM HBill Guerin has maintained that he was not worried about an offer from the KHL and that he was holding steady on getting the player signed on a longer-term deal. Buzz is that five, six, seven and eight year offers are on the table.

The key for the Wild is not letting Karprizov walk into unrestricted free agency after being so patient and investing time in the prospect. For the player, he’s wanting to bet on himself that in a couple of seasons time, he’ll be worth a lot more than the rumored $9 million that is being offered by Guerin.

We’ll soon see where this all ends up, but the good news is that CSKA Mosoc is no longer a hurdle in negotiations from a Wild perspective, assuming they ever really were.

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