Elliotte Friedman Firmly Believes Tampering Is Behind Kirill Kaprizov’s Historic Decision

Kaprizov’s rejection stunned many around the league, including Friedman. Turning down $16 million per year suggests, in Friedman’s view, that Kaprizov’s camp is confident more money awaits on the open market and that he and his agent have been informed about it.

Wild insider Michael Russo echoed the possibility on the "Worst Seats In The House" podcast, noting that under the current cap system, another team could dangle a maximum 20 percent offer, potentially worth $19 million to $20 million annually if the cap rises next season.

“If he thinks he has $19 million or $20 million in the bank — and why does he think that? Probably because he knows, which is not allowed, by the way — that is putting him in a position where he wants the Wild to give more money,” Russo said.

Kaprizov, who is entering the final season of a five-year, $45 million contract, has publicly downplayed the speculation, stressing that he enjoys playing in Minnesota and saying he's just focused in playing.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin has repeated that negotiations remain private and that the team’s top priority is to keep their franchise forward long-term.

For Friedman, the math does not add up without tampering in play.

“Logically, that the superstar winger would turn down the biggest contract offer in NHL history doesn’t add up if there isn’t another offer out there,” Friedman said.