MONTREAL – Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin says he is still gathering information about Russian media reports that star Kirill Kaprizov is wanted by police in a fraudulent military ID case.
“I spoke with Kirill and his agent. We are trying to find as much information as possible. We really don’t … I don’t even know how reliable it is. [report] That was it, ”Guerin said Wednesday after a meeting of NHL general managers in Montreal.
According to Sport-Express, Kaprizov wanted to buy a fake military ID from a former military officer in Ufa. Kaprizov played a season with Ufa Salavat Yulayev in the 2016-17 Continental Hockey League.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard of this,” Guerin said. “Like I said, I’m just trying to get information and not jump the gun or press the panic button on anything.”
Last week, the possibility of collecting Philadelphia flyers Ivan Fedotov on suspicion of failing in military service was raised by law enforcement in Russia. Fedotov’s agent told the Associated Press that Fedotov had been taken to a remote military base in northern Russia.
The message from Kaprizov’s agent Paul Theophanes did not return.
Contrary to Sport-Express reports, Guerin said Kaprizov was still in Russia.
“And that’s fine,” Guerin said. “He’s with his friends and his family.”
Guerin further said that he was not worried when Kaprizov left for Russia after the harvest.
“You know, there’s always a little secret. But don’t worry too much,” he said.
Chuck Fletcher, general manager of Flyers, said he had not spoken to Guerin about the Kaprizov affair. He did not elaborate on Fedotov’s arrest.
“I think it’s best for me to limit my public comments on this matter,” Fletcher said. “This is clearly a sensitive situation and we are doing our best to stay up to date and this is probably the best way to let it go.”
Fedotov and Kaprizov both played for CSKA Moscow, a team affiliated with the Russian military. New York Island goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin did just that, raising concerns that he could have trouble returning to the NHL next season.
Islanders general manager Lu Lamorillo said on Wednesday that he “does not care about any of our players” and that he could not return to the US.
Relations between the NHL and Russia have been strained since the invasion of Ukraine. The league severed financial ties with Russian media companies and Russia-based sportsbooks. With no transfer agreement with KHL, there is speculation that the teams could avoid Russian potential in the NHL draft, which takes place on Thursday and Friday in Montreal.
Kyle Dabas, GM of Toronto Maple Leafs, said: “Going into the draft, of course, all Russian players are eligible and as the situation unfolds, restrictions will make it a little harder to gather the same information about them as others.” . There in Ukraine. “