The NY Rangers face a complicated situation with top-line winger Artemi Panarin. Panarin will be a free agent at the end of this season. His potential departure would leave a gaping hole in the team’s lineup.
If Panarin does leave, the Rangers would be in a tough spot, trying to find another top-line winger to take his place in the lineup.
But that’s where the Rangers could replace one Russian sniper with another. Specifically, that replacement could be Kirill Kaprizov. The Minnesota Wild are in a holding pattern with Kaprizov as they are unable to agree on a contract extension.
Some estimates place Kaprizov in the $15 million AAV range. Such a contract could be too rich for the Wild to afford, leading Kaprizov to test the free agent market.
Enter the Rangers. If the Rangers cannot re-sign Panarin, for whatever reason, the club could pursue Kaprizov. The allure of playing on Broadway could be too much for Kaprizov to pass up. Plus, the Rangers are a team loaded with talent. That’s why Kaprizov could be enticed to make up his mind and sign with the Rangers.
Of course, this line of thinking is contingent on Panarin departing from New York. But then again, there’s no guarantee that would be the case. But it is a possibility, and the Rangers must be prepared to handle any situation.
Rangers Could Make Kaprizov Highest-Paid Player in NHL
Landing Kirill Kaprizov won’t come cheap. The expectation is that he could command a massive deal. The Sporting News reported via Yahoo! Sports that Kaprizov has a $15 million AAV offer over eight years from the Wild.
If that’s the case, why hasn’t he signed already? He’s been eligible to extend since July 1. If the Wild are willing to pony up, and Kaprizov wants to stay, Kaprizov should have signed by now.
The short answer is that Kaprizov could be unsure about staying in Minnesota. He might have his eye on another team. That situation could open the door for the Rangers to swoop in and sign Kaprizov.
Given that the Wild have already laid out an offer, it could take the Rangers a similar contract to ink Kaprizov.
Kaprizov Worth the Money to Sign
Kaprizov has been one of the best players in the league since his arrival. He was a fifth-round pick in 2015, but hasn’t played like it.
He scored 27 goals and 51 points in 55 games in his first season. That was just the start as he exploded in his second season for 47 goals and 108 points in 81 games. Since then, he’s struggled to play a full season.
In 2023-24, he played in 75 games, notching 46 goals and 96 points. Last year, Kaprizov faced an injury-filled season, appearing in just 41 games. But in those 41 games, he scored 25 goals and 56 points.
Assuming he can stay healthy, Kaprizov would be a game-changer for the Rangers. Of course, it would be great if the Blue Shirts could land both Kaprizov and Panarin. But if the Rangers had to choose, Kaprizov would be a fantastic replacement for Panarin.
Rangers Could Replace One Russian Sniper with Another