$62 Million Winger Likely to Be Involved in Kirill Kaprizov Trade to Eastern Conference Team

Kaprizov is far and away one of the best players in the NHL. In only 41 games last year, he notched 25 goals and 56 points, a 50-goal 112-point pace. In the playoffs, he scored at an even better rate, scoring nine points in only six games.

However, insider Frank Seravalli revealed the Wild and Kaprizov are at a standstill in contract discussions after the Russian winger and his representation rejected a $128 million eight-year contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes are a team that has reportedly been very interested in acquiring Kaprizov, but the price to do so will be steep. Insider Michael Russo reports that the Wild will want a piece like Andrei Svechnikov in any Kaprizov trade.

Svechnikov is currently on an eight-year $62 million contract. However, after injury struggles, the Russian winger has failed to live up to his price tag. In 72 games, Svechnikov scored only 48 points and was a -8 on a strong Carolina roster. However, he would likely see a jump in production if he were to move to Minnesota, as Carolina is a rather defensively structured team.

Surely, if there were any Kaprizov deal, Svechnikov would only be the starter for the two clubs. While he has four years left on his contract, the value discrepancy between Kaprizov and Svechnikov is quite significant and would require Carolina to add in a few more roster players, prospects, and/or draft picks.