Morning Chirps: Rookie camp continues, Kaprizov turns down record-setting offer

The Chicago Blackhawks' rookie camp continues today, so keep your eyes open for more coverage straight from the rink. Meanwhile, a superstar from a Central Division rival might become available after he turned down a gigantic contract. Plus, two 2025 first-round picks signed their first National Hockey League contracts.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The first day of rookie camp went off without a hitch as the energy was good inside the Fifth Third Arena. Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel are the two most significant prospects who are taking part in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. They are both ready for the important season ahead and to become cornerstones of the Blackhawks’ defense.

• This will be a make-or-break season for forward Colton Dach. Todd Welter writes about why there is so much pressure on Dach to perform this year.

On this date in 1952, the Blackhawks traded future Hall of Fame goaltender Harry Lumley to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Al Rollins, Ray Hannigan, Cal Gardner, and Gus Mortson. Rollins played 308 games in net for the Blackhawks over the next five seasons, going 81-171-56.

In 1969, the NHL expanded from 12 to 14 teams by welcoming in the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks. When they joined for the 1970-71 season, the Blackhawks moved from the East Division to the West Division.

• In 1995, the Blackhawks named Chris Chelios team captain. He took over for Dirk Graham, who retired during the offseason. Chelios remained captain until he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1999.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 11: Teuvo Teravainen.

NHL Chirps

• The biggest story of the day came out of the Twin Cities. According to Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report, Kirill Kaprizov rejected an eight-year, $128 million contract offer from the Minnesota Wild. The proposed contract would have made Kaprizov the highest-paid player in NHL history, both in AAV and total value.

• The report is devastating for the Wild and their fanbase. Owner Craig Leipold has publicly stated the team will sign the star forward no matter what it takes. Justin Godfrey of Gone Puck Wild says Minnesota is barreling toward a nightmare scenario.

• General manager Bill Geurin denied that the report came from him or Kaprizov’s agent. This story seems to have plenty of twists and turns left to it. Kaprizov has made it clear that he isn’t just about the money. He either wants to sign a shorter-term deal so that he can get another big contract down the road, or he wants the Wild to show him how committed they are to winning. Or, it might be a little bit of both.

• The San Jose Sharks signed forward Michael Misa to his entry-level contract on Wednesday. His contract squashes all the rumors that he was going to play in the NCAA this season. As of now, it’s either the NHL or the OHL for the second overall pick of last summer’s NHL Entry Draft.

• The St. Louis Blues signed their 2025 first-round pick, Justin Carbonneau, to his entry-level contract. They also signed 2023 seventh-round pick Nikita Susuev. According to Nestor Quixtan on Bleedin’ Blue, Carbonneau is determined to make the NHL roster out of training camp.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 11: Gus Kyle, Craig Billington, Mike Comrie, Zack Stortini, Ben Scrivens, Ross Colton, and Nicolas Robertson.