Report: Kaprizov likely won't be eligible to join Wild if season resumes

The NHL informed the Minnesota Wild that there's likely "zero chance" prized prospect and KHL star Kirill Kaprizov will be eligible to join the club if the 2019-20 season resumes, sources told The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Kaprizov's KHL contract expired April 30, and in previous seasons he would have been eligible to join the Wild afterward and burn a year off his entry-level contract. However, when the NHL went on pause March 12, it instructed teams that draft picks as well as college, junior, and European free agents could not be signed unless the start date is for 2020-21.

Last season, Colorado Avalanche phenom Cale Makar joined the club in the playoffs while fresh off winning the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.

Minnesota drafted Kaprizov in the fifth round in 2015. He's suited up for CSKA Moscow since, registering 230 points in 293 games. The 23-year-old has also represented Russia internationally on numerous occasions, most notably at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang where he claimed a gold medal after notching nine points in six contests.

The Wild, who have long been in pursuit of Kaprizov, aren't worried about the chance that he could conceivably sign in the KHL for another season before he's eligible to play in the NHL.

"It's a viable concern, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it," general manager Bill Guerin said. "I know Kirill wants to come and play in Minnesota as soon as possible. But, I guess, I can't say 100% that this won't come into play. But he has made clear to me that he wants to be here very much."

The Wild sat one point out of a wild-card position in the Western Conference when the season was put on hold.

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