The New York Rangers are looking to be a playoff team this season and have been linked to making a move for a superstar.
Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov is entering the final year of his deal, and reports have come out that he declined a massive extension. With that, his name has come up in trade rumors, and NHL analyst Hannah Stuart of Bleacher Report shared a trade pitch that sees the Rangers acquiring Kaprizov.
Rangers acquire:
Kirill Kaprizov
Wild acquire:
Alexis Lafreniere
2026 first-round pick
Multiple lower-round picks
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as New York would acquire Kaprizov, who would become the top offensive player on the team. However, the price wouldn’t be cheap as the Rangers would give up multiple picks, including a first-rounder, and the former first overall pick in Lafreniere.
The Rangers would acquire Kaprizov, who’s entering the final year of his five-year, $45 million deal. Kaprizov would be a first-line player for New York and add some more offense to the lineup, and potentially be Artemi Panarin’s replacement. Kaprizov recorded 25 goals and 31 assists for 56 points in 41 games last season.
A big part of the return for the Wild would be Lafreniere, who could replace Kaprizov. Lafreniere was selected first overall in 2020, but he has struggled to live up to the hype. He’s entering the first year of his seven-year, $52.15 million deal. Lafreniere recorded 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points in 82 games last season.
Analyst Explains Rangers-Wild Blockbuster Trade Pitch
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster and one that does make sense for both sides.
New York would acquire a true superstar in Kaprizov while the Wild would get a young forward and multiple draft picks to help a potential rebuild.
“It’s a new regime in New York this season, with Mike Sullivan arriving from Pittsburgh to be the head coach and J.T. Miller being named captain — both strong signals of where the team is likely headed,” Stuart wrote. “The Rangers like marquee names and flash, and I’ve wondered for a while if Lafreniere might want or need a fresh start somewhere. Being part of a Kaprizov trade just might do the trick. Sure, you’re not getting back the exact same scoring value, but let’s be real. This is Kaprizov. You were never going to.
“But Lafreniere has become quite useful in recent years, and a new environment could be the jolt he needs. He’s only 23 years old, after all,” Stuart added. “This trade would definitely require a few lower picks as well as some money moved around, since the Rangers don’t quite have the cap space to take on Kaprizov’s current contract, but if they want it badly enough, they’ll make it happen.”
If Kaprizov is going to walk in free agency, Minnesota would be wise to trade him to get something back in return. Lafreniere and draft picks would likely be one of the top returns, while the Rangers go all-in by acquiring Kaprizov.
Kaprizov Says he Has Lots of Time to Sign
Although Kaprizov can hit free agency on July 1, the Russian isn’t worried about that.
Instead, he says he has lots of time to sign before then, and the focus is on the upcoming season.
“You guys know I like Minny and everyone knows this,” Kaprizov said. “We have a lot of time [to sign]. It’s just 2025 and it’s one more year I have. I just want to play hockey and focus and win some games and go into [the Stanley Cup] Playoffs] and win there. Just focus on this now.”