The beginning of NHL preseason isn't usually the time for trade speculation. Certainly not for star players unless there are special circumstances such as a contract dispute. But the rumor mill felt an unexpected ripple recently when The Athletic's Mark Lazerus linked Minnesota winger Kirill Kaprizov the Chicago Blackhawks, saying that Kaprizov "wants to come to Chicago" in 2026, when the Russian winger becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Lazarus later clarified that initial comment with a more nuanced and careful follow-up.
The reporting maintains that Chicago has its eyes on Kaprizov as an option a few years' time and that interest appears to be mutual, at least to some extent.