Kaprizov isn't signing so

And no

Kaprizov still has one year on his KHL deal iirc.

In a stacked Central Division... no. Embrace a rebuild or embrace mediocrity for the next 3-4 years.

Yes but in that division they would probably be fighting for a wild card spot with hopes the pacific is weak again and 5 in the central get in but kaprizov isnt signing that deal so tough to say.

It was my understanding since it is his entry level deal he has to sign to that for his cap hit and they can load him on bonuses. Or do what vegas did and sign him after his KHL season is done play in one game and that voids that year of his contract then he can sign a bigger deal from there.

Not with Dubnyk in net.

This is true but he still has to sign the deal right he might sign it but he hasnt and negotitaions are still way off so for the moment its a no but outside of that the team itself without him well they lack someone like him so in order to compete that deal needs to be signed.

MIN season will likely be over before CSKAs so that's not really an option.

They need to blow this team up. Could get a lot of value, especially considering how deep everyone is talking about the upcoming draft is, better tank now

The Wild likely won't get Kaprizov over this year, but even still I think they could be in the hunt for a wildcard spot only if a lot of things go right for them, and a lot of things go wrong for the other Central division teams. Nashville could have trouble getting their new additions (Duchene, Granlund) to gel and miss PK more than they think. St. Louis may have an epic cup hangover and Binnington could be a one hit wonder. Colorado may miss their injured veteran D at the start of the year more than they think and/or could have Rantanen holdout. If Winnipeg has Byfuglien or Morrisey miss a lot of time and their young defenders can't pick up the slack they will be in trouble. Maybe the Wild can sneak in, but I think on paper, they are the worst team in the division as they are missing a game breaker at forward (but do have depth).

They just need an entire new group of forwards and a couple goalies and they'd be fine..

Never said it was an option was just saying this team with him on it could be a different story.

The Wild will go as far as their defense and goaltending takes them, so it all depends on Dubnyk having a bounce back season. As long as Tom Wilson doesn't run him over again, he should be ok.

Lack of offense last year. They are in not really in better shape this year. Getting Dumba back healthy helps. Just not enough, especially in that division.

Even if they were able to burn a year off his ELC this season, he's going to be coming in on a 2 year ELC because he'll be signing at 22 or 23. He'd still have a year at $925k with bonuses. The most likely scenario is that he'll sign after our season ends and we'll have him on that deal for 2 years before he hits RFA.