“Purchased” military ID
Former CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Ivan Fedotova, a Gagarin Cup winner with the army club, later became a silver medalist for the Russian team at the Beijing Olympics after an unusual turn involving military service. In May, questions arose as Russian players of military age faced uncertainty, especially when the Flyers made headlines instead of flying to the United States to serve in the Northern Fleet. The situation sparked numerous theories about the paths of players linked to the military draft.
Interest focused on prominent players as details emerged. For example, the case of Farit Samigullin, a former traffic officer who helped athletes address military service issues, drew attention when he was detained in Ufa last year. After Fedotov, the summer spotlight shifted to Kirill Kaprizov, a 25-year-old forward with the Minnesota Wild.
Kaprizov had just finished a stint with Salavat Yulaev Ufa and, in theory, could have revisited Samigullin’s circle, which had connections with both Salavat Yulaev and Ufa, according to Business Online. However, Kaprizov’s father publicly denied rumors that the player had postponed service due to ongoing university studies. Mash Telegram later alleged that Kaprizov’s father himself negotiated with the Ufa military enlistment office to shield the current NHL star, along with the rising star from the Kontinental Hockey League, from conscription.
The source claimed that in October 2018, Kaprizov Sr. contacted Samigullin, who arranged a meeting with Konstantin Voropaev, the deputy military commissar for the Kalininsky and Ordzhonikidzevsky districts of Ufa. A notable detail was Samigullin’s alleged neglect of receiving a mediation fee, reportedly asking for 40,000 rubles on occasion, yet not accepting payment in this instance.
Kaprizov was also mentioned as a suspect in a case related to the purchase of a military ticket. Initially, the player’s father denied the information, and the Investigative Committee did not confirm it either.
$13 million instead of nine
During the 2016/17 season with Salavat Yulaev in Ufa, Kaprizov posted 42 points in 49 regular-season games, with three goals in five playoff games. He later moved to CSKA Moscow, where he spent three seasons. In the 2017/18 campaign, the army team reached the Gagarin Cup final, compiling 40 points in 46 regular-season games and 10 points in 19 playoff appearances, ultimately losing to Ak Bars Kazan in five games. The following year, Kaprizov posted 51 points in 57 regular-season games and 14 playoff points in 19 games, helping CSKA clinch the league title and earning the KHL’s top sniper award with 33 goals in the regular season. His total of 62 points in 57 games underscored his rising impact. In the playoffs against Spartak Moscow, Kaprizov tallied two goals and two assists as CSKA advanced, though the season was interrupted and eventually canceled due to the pandemic.
After his contract expired, Kaprizov moved overseas to Minnesota, a club with prior ties to his development. The first season in the NHL, shortened by the pandemic, saw him accumulate 51 points in 57 games, with 2 points in seven playoff games. He later signed a five-year contract worth $9 million per year, a deal that drew some criticism from the team’s front office given a slower pre-season start amid ongoing negotiations. In the opening stretch of the following season, Kaprizov faced a slower start, ending with 108 points in 81 regular-season games and a 7-1 playoff loss in the first round for the Wild.
Recent reporting from The Athletic highlighted that Minnesota’s management was already considering a new contract with a salary around $13 million. The discussion reflected Kaprizov’s strong performance in his second season, though the club’s planning remained a longer-term strategic matter rather than an immediate decision.
In the NHL, contract renewals often occur during restricted periods, particularly when players are approaching expiration. For Kaprizov, the $9 million deal would extend through four more seasons, providing a framework for ongoing negotiations and potential adjustments as performance and market conditions evolve.
“Fake Rumors”
Russia’s honored coach Vladimir Plushev commented on the matter, saying that the contract situation would likely be reviewed on a broad scale. While that discussion focused on a possible purchase of a military ticket, Plushev asserted that Kaprizov was not in actual danger. He described the rumors as speculative and argued that much of the chatter surrounding CSKA’s draft picks was inflated or misrepresented. Kaprizov, Plushev noted, is a high-caliber player and a principled individual, and any major development would—according to him—be made public by the player himself, much as Ivan Fedotov’s situation had been.
The coach also pointed out that Kaprizov is part of a larger group of draftees facing similar narratives, implying there are other factors and agendas at play. He expressed confidence that Kaprizov would navigate the situation without serious complications.