Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov reportedly only interested in joining one team

At the 2024 NHL Draft, held at the Las Vegas Sphere, the Blackhawks made headlines by selecting standout defenseman Artyom Levshunov as the second overall pick. However, another big story came from rumors surrounding Kaprizov.

According to The Athletic's Joe Smith, Kaprizov is rumored to be very interested in signing with the Blackhawks once his $9 million per year contract expires in 2026.

If Kaprizov joins Chicago, he could play alongside young star Connor Bedard, creating a dynamic duo similar to Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The idea of these two on the same line is exciting for Blackhawks fans and daunting for their opponents.

Chicago's recent free agency moves, including signings like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, and T.J. Brodie, have made them a more attractive destination for top players.

While Kaprizov would be hard to replace in Minnesota, his departure would free up significant cap space, giving the Wild the chance to sign a big-name free agent, especially after a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Whether Kaprizov stays in Minnesota or moves to Chicago, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.