The NHL offseason is always filled with rumors and speculation, but few storylines have captivated fans quite like the uncertainty surrounding Kirill Kaprizov’s future with the Minnesota Wild.

As contract talks have come to a sudden halt and Kaprizov returns to Russia, the hockey world is left buzzing with questions about what comes next for one of the league’s brightest stars.

The tension is palpable—not only for Wild fans, who fear losing their franchise cornerstone, but also for rival teams eyeing a rare opportunity to land a game-changing talent.

With the Chicago Blackhawks emerging as potential front-runners, the stakes have never been higher. The prospect of Kaprizov joining forces with Connor Bedard on a rejuvenated Blackhawks roster is enough to send shockwaves throughout the league, and insiders are already speculating on how such a move could reshape the NHL landscape.

As the clock ticks down to the end of Kaprizov’s current contract, every development is being closely watched, and the pressure is mounting on Minnesota’s front office to avoid what could be a franchise-altering loss.

Kirill Kaprizov

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt

GM Bill Guerin and the Minnesota Wild have left a gap open for the Blackhawks and Kyle Davidson to take advantage of and acquire forward Kirill Kaprizov.

The Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov have recently broken off contract discussions. While Kaprizov left the States for his native Russia, the two sides were supposed to continue these negotiations.

But in the NHL, nothing is certain, as at the end of 2025-26, Kaprizov will be UFA and the Wild can’t afford to lose the superstar Russian forward.

NHL Insider Michael Russo has given us some insight into why negotiations have fallen apart.

«We’re talking Minnesota. We’re not talking Edmonton. That wins playoff round after playoff round after playoff round has gone to two straight Stanley Cup Final. Like, if you’re Connor McDavid, that might mean a lot to re-sign there for the max. I don’t think he is going to do that from all reports, but to me, it makes more sense from him than from Kaprizov, who’s playing for a team that, yes, they’ve made the playoffs for what 10 of the last 12 years, I believe it is. But they’ve only gotten past the first round, not since 2015. So I think it makes a lot of sense.

Kaprizov makes $9 million AAV, as the contract he signed in 2021-22 will soon expire, making him a part of the star-studded 2026 UFA class.

This fault in the Wild’s armor could leave a gap for the Blackhawks to explore a trade with Kaprizov. He could join the Blackhawks on the top line and be a part of a dynamic offense led by him and Bedard.

Chicago Blackhawks front runners to land Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov

Davidson and the Blackhawks are front-runners for the former 100+ point forward, and could add Kaprizov and finish the rebuild that much sooner.

With the two sides not being close, you have to think the team will have to execute a trade by March in order to get something in return for the former Hart Trophy nominee.

The Blackhawks have the assets and means to sign Kaprizov and make it work under their cap space.