On the latest episode of Ice Time, the conversation was about the fun things to watch this season. One of the questions was about the fun players to watch, something Kirill Kaprizov is by nature.
The star winger on the Minnesota Wild is a highlight waiting to happen. Likewise, the way this season plays out can make him a fun player to watch. He’s in the same category as Artemi Panarin and Kyle Connor, two other star wingers who are on pace to enter free agency and make this season a big one for them and their teams.
Kaprizov is the Newest Member of the Fun List
The news of the week was that Kaprizov turned down an eight-year extension with the highest average annual value (AAV) in the league. The assumption was that he would sign before camp, and now the pressure is on to get a deal done, since Kaprizov in free agency can get a bigger deal.
Kaprizov turning down the mega extension opens the door for him to audition in a contract year. It’s happened before with players putting together career seasons as they head to free agency, with Sam Bennett last season helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup as his play in the playoffs earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Considering the Wild are a team stuck in the middle, Kaprizov playing the waiting game might not be the worst of things. He can have a Hart Trophy-caliber season and lead this team on a deep playoff run. It will raise his asking price but for a team that hasn’t won a playoff series in over a decade, it would be worth it.
Why Connor & Panarin Pit This Category As Well
Like Kaprizov, Connor, and Panarin are the wingers heading to free agency barring an extension. Connor isn’t as exciting and doesn’t produce the same highlights but without question, he produces, averaging 38 goals and 40 assists per season. Panarin is older than the other two wingers, as he’ll be 34 when his contract is up, yet he’s still playing at a high level, coming off a season where he scored 38 goals and 52 assists, making a seven-year deal with a high AAV a real possibility.
All three skaters have made their marks in the NHL and are great talents. This season, however, can be the one where they put themselves in the Hart Trophy conversation. Better yet, they’ll lead their teams to the playoffs and play in meaningful games down the stretch. It’s going to have the league on notice and certainly make them the talking points as the season progresses.
What Will Happen With The Big 3 Wingers?
The most likely scenario for the three players is that they sign extensions before the season begins. Even with the latest Kaprizov rift, the Wild have no interest in letting him test the market and will look to give him what he wants, or close to it. The same is true about the Winnipeg Jets for Connor and the New York Rangers with Panarin.
However, there’s always a chance one of them is put on the trade block. These three teams can all get off to slow starts and it gives them the option to trade their star players for a significant return. Even if they are in the contention conversation, there’s always a chance of them getting dealt, especially since Mikko Rantanen was traded last season, setting the stage for a blockbuster deal.
These three players can make the season all the more interesting, and Kaprizov has joined the chat. Now, the question is whether this story will spill over into the season to make thing
