Minnesota Wild face tough situation with Kirill Kaprizov as he battles an infection

The Minnesota Wild are facing a unique problem right now, as star forward Kirill Kaprizov is dealing with an eye infection that has forced him to go on antibiotics.

The news was 1st reported by NHL analyst Michael Russo.

Kaprizov is in the middle of a controversial contract standoff with the Wild and GM Bill Guerin in particular, who allegedly offered him the richest contract in NHL history but was rebuffed.

Even though Guerin denied that contract offer, there have been additional reports that Kaprizov was asked to submit a trade list of teams he'd accept a move to in case they can't get a deal done rather than lose him for nothing on the open market next summer.

Kaprizov has been linked to many teams, and one of them is the Chicago Blackhawks, who will have plenty of salary cap space to accommodate a deal for him even though they also have to sign 2023 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.

If Kaprizov were to sign with the Blackhawks, it would be the team's 1st true superstar player since the days of Patrick Kane during their Stanley Cup-winning dynasty days.

He would also instantly elevate them into playoff contending status, and then soon could be back in Cup contention if they were to add a few more pieces.