‘Ludicrous’: Insiders Squash Idea of 3 Top Teams Trading for Kaprizov
After Kirill Kaprozov turned down the richest contract in NHL history last week, pundits across the NHL spectrum are positing where he might wind up if the Minnesota Wild are forced to trade the pending UFA. Now, we can probably take at least three top teams off the list of trade destinations, per two insiders.
The most adamant comment comes from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, who called the suggestions that the New York Rangers would trade for the Wild's superstar winger, 'ludicrous.'
The idea that the Rangers would hollow out their roster and draft capital to trade for pending UFA Kirill Kiprizov only then to sign him for $16M-$18M per is about as ludicrous as it gets.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) September 14, 2025
"The idea that the Rangers would hollow out their roster and draft capital to trade for pending UFA Kirill Kaprizov only then to sign him for $16M-$18M per is about as ludicrous as it gets," wrote Brooks on social media.
A day earlier, Rangers beat writer Vincent Z. Mercogliano wrote in The Athletic the following:
"I've heard the Rangers would be on his short list, and we know (GM Chris) Drury has growing cap space and a desire to reshape the core. I expect them to be aggressive if he ever becomes available.
"What would it take to pull off a trade? I'd imagine a couple first-round picks (they conveniently have two next year) and a player like Alexis Lafrenière."
In addition, for anyone believing that one of the Florida teams could trade for Kaprizov, insider Elliotte Friedman stated on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday that it's just not doable, financially, for either of those teams.
"Florida's not gonna go where this is being talked about [cap-hit-wise]... Tampa... I don't think they're going [to go there either]."
The Panthers, of course, moved heaven and earth to re-sign their own UFAs this summer in Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, and there's only so many hoops you can jump through. They're currently $4.5 million over the cap.
The Lightning have less than $1.2 million of cap space.
The Kaprizov situation will be the most riveting thing to watch (outside of Connor McDavid) heading into camp this week and then the season-opener in about three weeks.
He turned down an eight-year, $128 million offer from the Wild last week, per many reports ($16M AAV). Friedman suspects that there IS a team willing to top it.
