Wild extend KK 8x17

[Cahokanut]

This is terrible for the team in Minnesota.
I honestly don't see much of a team player in the Russian and I wouldn't want that to be the face of the organization. They may have felt they needed to do this. But they didn't.

I'd think his price was somewhat known. Before deadline of last year. Even with the No move cause, KK would of gave a couple of choices.

The best move would of been to let him walk, for nothing. Not for the gm but for the team.

[STL fan in MN]

if I were a Minnesota fan my response to this signing would be, “Great. Now what?”

Prety simple - they HAVE to hit on their prospects.

Totally agree but I think it’ll take more than that too.

Agreed. But now they have less cap to do it with. And as much as I’ve enjoyed moving here, it’s just not a great draw for professional athletes.

Buium is good. I think Yurov is going to be good. A few other prospects should be NHLers…I just don’t see how they get over the hump though tbh.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving here it’s that it’s the land of mid/average pro sports teams. At least on the men’s side. The WNBA and PWHL teams here have won multiple championships.

[netboy65]

if I were a Minnesota fan my response to this signing would be, “Great. Now what?”

Prety simple - they HAVE to hit on their prospects.

But were their prospects TOP5 picks?

[dhsux]

Most Wild fans on the HF Board seem fairly content and at worst resigned to this signing.

My take is 17 Mil is one thing but for this player, a very good winger, I still think it's nuts as I do with any reference in value to McDavid.

[bluetunehead]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

[Backesdraft]

if I were a Minnesota fan my response to this signing would be, “Great. Now what?”

Prety simple - they HAVE to hit on their prospects.

But were their prospects TOP5 picks?

Well played sir. Well played.

[skilles]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

I personally think its way to much for a small winger which IMO should not be drawing comparisons to generational centers.

I'd literally trade 2 of him for 1 McDavid....I really can't wrap my head around them being compared.

[Mr.Snuggleupagus]

I am concerned with some upcoming contracts - Holloway, Broberg...

If it comes down to it, those 2 could be the basis of a solid trade proposal.

[Sophisticated Shoes]

The Wild should have traded KK for a king's ransom and kicked off the rebuild with a major tank job (btw, this is when you tank, not when the team is ascending). They have a young core with Boldy/Rossi/Faber/Buium, and they do have some talent with their prospects, but with an average age of 30.5, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, and outside Buium, I see the same team as last year, but a year older, and this team can't get past the 1st round. With McKenna projected 1st overall, and the bounty from trading KK and other aging players, the opportunity was there, but the Wild chose the present over their future, and that's great news for the Note!
The whining has already started on the radio here (we just got rid of Suter/Parise contracts).

Kaprizov had a full NMC for the entirely of his current deal. The Wild either wouldn’t have been able to trade him at all or Kap would’ve narrowed his list down to 1-3 teams and that would’ve severely impacted what they could’ve gotten in return.

Yes, no doubt the NMC came into play, heavily, as would Guerin surviving a rebuild as GM. I know it's easy to say they should have traded KK when I as a fan have no skin in the game, but when KK turned down the $16mil, the Wild could have taken a more aggressive stance in negotiations, but instead they paid him more, and that's not how organizations win, especially when their team needs are vast. I also believe they'll miss the playoffs this year, BG will get fired, and the churn will commence next off season as the Wild tries to rid the aging cast. From my POV, this was the time to take the risk, but I also see their POV and why they absolutely went the other way. KK is a great player, I simply feel he'll never see a championship while in MN, certainly not in the next 5 years.

[TheJackBurton]

if I were a Minnesota fan my response to this signing would be, “Great. Now what?”

Prety simple - they HAVE to hit on their prospects.

Totally agree but I think it’ll take more than that too.

Agreed. But now they have less cap to do it with. And as much as I’ve enjoyed moving here, it’s just not a great draw for professional athletes.

Buium is good. I think Yurov is going to be good. A few other prospects should be NHLers…I just don’t see how they get over the hump though tbh.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving here it’s that it’s the land of mid/average pro sports teams. At least on the men’s side. The WNBA and PWHL teams here have won multiple championships.

I can understand it for a sport like baseball since Minny is more of a winter state, but I have no idea why for hockey.

Hockey players are worshipped in Minny, why wouldn't a hockey player want to play there, especially a Canadian? Essentially right on the border, so if family is still in Canada not incredibly difficult to come catch a game from time to time, the arena sells out just about every game, the fans are knowledgeable but not aholes (as far as I can tell anyway) and always treat the players well.

I guess there are other reasons but I don't know what they would be.

[bluetunehead]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

I personally think its way to much for a small winger which IMO should not be drawing comparisons to generational centers.

I'd literally trade 2 of him for 1 McDavid....I really can't wrap my head around them being compared.

Oh I agree. Kaprizov is probably a Top 5 winger in the league but that’s still a major drop in value compared to a guy like McDavid.

I just think that in spite of the sticker shock, this is where contracts are headed for guys in that tier. I think there is probably a 1M a year bump from Minnesota trying to keep their star from walking to a bigger market.

[dhsux]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

I personally think its way to much for a small winger which IMO should not be drawing comparisons to generational centers.

I'd literally trade 2 of him for 1 McDavid....I really can't wrap my head around them being compared.

Oh I agree. Kaprizov is probably a Top 5 winger in the league but that’s still a major drop in value compared to a guy like McDavid.

I just think that in spite of the sticker shock, this is where contracts are headed for guys in that tier. I think there is probably a 1M a year bump from Minnesota trying to keep their star from walking to a bigger market.

That's kind of what they did....they gave him 8M over their initial offer....but I would argue he's not in that top tier of players for most teams pursuing a Cup but he is for Minny.

Kap knew he had them by the balz and he worked this franchise perfectly.

I see this deal as more anchor than life raft as it relates to winning a Cup for the Wild.

[skilles]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

I personally think its way to much for a small winger which IMO should not be drawing comparisons to generational centers.

I'd literally trade 2 of him for 1 McDavid....I really can't wrap my head around them being compared.

Oh I agree. Kaprizov is probably a Top 5 winger in the league but that’s still a major drop in value compared to a guy like McDavid.

I just think that in spite of the sticker shock, this is where contracts are headed for guys in that tier. I think there is probably a 1M a year bump from Minnesota trying to keep their star from walking to a bigger market.

I'm usually the guy talking about sticker shock and people not understanding the progression of the salary cap and salaries but this one I think is to much.

[Sophisticated Shoes]

If you assume the cap is going to hit 100 million shortly, his hit represents 17 percent of the cap. McDavid'(poop) is currently about 15 percent. Not totally out of whack and commiserate with what the MVP level player is going to receive. The larger issue in my mind is the sustainability of the cap for the smaller market teams. in other words how much is the cap rise being driven by revenues from the big market teams, and how will the smaller markets be able to come up with the coin either through filling seats, tv, etc... to be able to pay these salaries ?

I would say KK making 17% while McDavid makes 15% absolutely represents "out of whack" Those player are not close.

Kaprizov’s deal will be 16.3% of the cap in his first year (26-27) and go down from there. That’s more than McDavid’s last deal, but he’s also due a new contract at the same time, and just got the new bar for his agent to beat.

I think since the cap is already set to rise even further in 27-28 to 113.5M, it’s pretty easy for the players to say they need their contract to be based on that cap figure. Most of the time future changes are hypothetical. That one is already agreed upon. That puts Kaprizov at 15%, which is in line with most superstar players. I’d expect McDavid to go higher.

I personally think its way to much for a small winger which IMO should not be drawing comparisons to generational centers.

I'd literally trade 2 of him for 1 McDavid....I really can't wrap my head around them being compared.

Oh I agree. Kaprizov is probably a Top 5 winger in the league but that’s still a major drop in value compared to a guy like McDavid.

I just think that in spite of the sticker shock, this is where contracts are headed for guys in that tier. I think there is probably a 1M a year bump from Minnesota trying to keep their star from walking to a bigger market.

That's kind of what they did....they gave him 8M over their initial offer....but I would argue he's not in that top tier of players for most teams pursuing a Cup but he is for Minny.

Kap knew he had them by the balz and he worked this franchise perfectly.

I see this deal as more anchor than life raft as it relates to winning a Cup for the Wild.

I believe you hit the nail on the head regarding Kaprizov having them by the balls. On my way home today, they were interviewing Guerin on the radio. He was asked, "how did the negotiations break down, like what happened, did you offer 17 mil and then send it over to Kaprizov's agent"? Guerin said yeah, they made the offer last night, sent to his agent and they actually countered. Guerin said they refused the counter, then Kaprizov accepted. That's leverage!

[Mr.Snuggleupagus]

Vitale just called it a "huge win for Minnesota"

[Army's Mom]

Vitale just called it a "huge win for Minnesota"

If the goal is to build a Cup winner, no.

But, if the goal is to put butts in seats and move merch, then its definitely a huge win. If they didnt get him signed, they signal "starting over" to their fans and lose out on superstar merch sales. Their franchise history with Gaborik only amplifies that risk.

Its highly doubtful thry could've recouped much value in a trade. The only way to secure their profitability may well have been to overpay. Folks say KK had them by the balls (I agree), but if he waited another week he might have squeezed even more juice out of Guerin.

In that sense, I can see this being a win. Just glad its not MY "win" to deal with!