The Chicago Blackhawks need to find a top-line winger to play with franchise center Connor Bedard. With that in mind, the Blackhawks drafted Anton Frondell with the third-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
However, Frondell is still a couple of seasons away from impacting the NHL. So, the Blackhawks could turn to 29-year-old impending UFA Kirill Kaprizov to fill that void.
Kaprizov, who’s entering the final year of a five-year, $45 million contract with the Minnesota Wild, could be a prime target for the Blackhawks. The Russian star could be the ideal fit to play with Bedard.
In Kaprizov, the Blackhawks would get a solid goal-scorer with a playmaking touch. That makes a Bedard-Kaprizov combination a tantalizing one.
While the Blackhawks could pursue Kaprizov on the free-agent market, there’s a desire to land Kaprizov in a trade to lock him up for an extra season.
Here’s what such a trade could look like:
Blackhawks get:
Kirill Kaprizov, F
2026 fifth-round pick
Wild get:
Teuvo Teravainen, F
Oliver Moore, F
2026 first-round pick
2026 second-round pick
2027 second-round pick
It’s worth pointing out that this deal would make sense for the Minnesota Wild if the club was certain it could not re-sign Kaprizov. The Wild are trying their best to get Kaprizov inked to a new deal. But that prospect is uncertain at this time.
That’s why the Wild could consider pulling the trigger on a deal instead of losing Kaprizov for nothing.
Blackhawks Could Pay a High Price for Kaprizov
This trade pitch assumes Kaprizov would be worth at least one first-round pick. However, the Wild may push for at least two first-rounders. If that’s the case, the Blackhawks could move their first-rounder in 2027, as well.
The Wild will likely want the Chicago’s own first-rounder from 2026, as the other pick the Blackhawks possess originally belonged to the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, the two second-rounders could be a solid return for the Wild, particularly considering how the club could lose Kaprizov for nothing.
Throwing Teuvo Teravainen into the mix is key as the Wild will want to get a winger back to take Kaprizov’s place in the lineup. The Blackhawks may consider sending Tyler Bertuzzi as well. Nevertheless, both Teravainen and Bertuzzi have modified no-trade clauses. So, the ultimate package could depend on any potential trade restrictions.
Oliver Moore is a solid prospect who could sweeten the pot for the Wild. He’s the sort of throw-in that gets the wheels moving.
Why Chicago Should Trade for Kaprizov Instead of Signing Him
Acquiring Kaprizov and then signing him to an extension would allow the Blackhawks to ink him to an eight-year deal. If the Blackhawks targeted him in free agency, they could only sign him to a seven-year deal.
This consideration is crucial as this upcoming season will be the last one before the new CBA kicks in. The new CBA limits contracts to seven and six years. As a result, the Blackhawks could miss out on that eighth year that would no longer be available beyond next season.
Perhaps the Blackhawks feel that the eighth year is not worth the package to get him. However, they risk competing with other teams on the open market for the Russian forward. Trading for him gives the Blackhawks the inside track on the most intriguing option for 2026 NHL free agency.
Blackhawks Trade Idea Sees Club Acquire $45M Impending Free Agent to Play with Bedard