{"id":87934,"date":"2025-07-24T06:22:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T06:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/87934\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T06:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T06:22:10","slug":"west-notes-kaprizov-stars-grizzlies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/87934\/","title":{"rendered":"West Notes: Kaprizov, Stars, Grizzlies"},"content":{"rendered":"

On yesterday\u2019s rendition of the\u00a0Insider Notebook<\/a>\u00a0from Bleacher Report, Frank Seravalli provided an update on the ongoing extension negotiations between the Minnesota Wild and star forward Kirill Kaprizov<\/a><\/strong>. Seravalli indicated that he believes the Wild will sign Kaprizov to an eight-year, $120MM contract ($15MM AAV) when everything is said and done.<\/p>\n

Kaprizov would narrowly beat out Leon Draisaitl<\/a><\/strong> of the Edmonton Oilers as the sport\u2019s highest-paid players. Still, that\u2019s before Draisaitl\u2019s teammate, Connor McDavid<\/a><\/strong>, signs his next contract. Despite carrying the highest AAV in NHL history, the rumored deal for Kaprizov would fall $4MM short of Alex Ovechkin<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s 13-year, $124MM contract signed with the Washington Capitals in 2008, which remains the largest contract in NHL history.<\/p>\n

The Novokuznetsk, Russia native has all the leverage in his negotiation with Minnesota, scoring 185 goals and 386 points in 319 games since starting his career during the 2020-21 campaign. There\u2019s an open and credible debate whether Kaprizov is worth more than Draisaitl. Still, the Wild\u2019s only pathway to contention is through their star winger.<\/p>\n

Other notes from the Western Conference:<\/p>\n