CSKA Moscow of the KHL has announced Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov will not join the club this season, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.

The Russian outfit reportedly tried to lure Kaprizov, a restricted free agent, back overseas with a contract offer earlier this summer.

A new deal with the Wild isn't imminent, but conversations between the team and Kaprizov's representatives have picked up recently, Russo adds.

Kaprizov played three of his six KHL seasons with CSKA Moscow before joining the Wild for a stellar rookie campaign in 2020-21, during which he led Minnesota in scoring and captured the Calder Trophy. Wild general manager Bill Guerin said last week the possibility of Kaprizov returning to the KHL "doesn't bother me at all."

Kaprizov, 24, is Minnesota's sole unsigned restricted free agent. The Wild currently have approximately $13 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly.

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Former NHL forward Jimmy Hayes has died at the age of 31, according to his alma mater Boston College, and The Boston Globe, which cites a Milton, Massachusetts, law enforcement official.

No cause of death has been made available.

Hayes suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils over seven seasons. He had 109 points in 334 games played.

A second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, Hayes was traded to the Blackhawks in 2010 and made his NHL debut Dec. 30, 2011. He scored his first goal in his second career game.

Hayes played his final NHL game with the Devils on April 7, 2018. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Penguins afterward and ended his professional career with Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, in the 2018-19 season.

The Dorchester, Massachusetts, native spent three years at Boston College and won an NCAA hockey championship with the team in 2010.

Hayes was the older brother of Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes. He leaves behind his wife, Kristen, and two young sons.

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Jaden Schwartz found himself at a crossroads before the start of the 2020-21 season following the unexpected death of his father last November.

"I didn't even know if I was going to come back," the newly signed Seattle Kraken forward told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "This past year was pretty tough on me and my family. I didn't have much motivation to play and didn't really have time to train."

In addition to his father's death, the Saskatchewan native had to quarantine back home.

"It was a lot on me. I wasn't in a very good place," Schwartz said. "It's tough leaving your family and friends behind and not being there for them and not having them to be around me, either."

Although Schwartz, who was with the St. Louis Blues last season, almost decided not to play and forfeit his $4-million salary, he wanted to step up for the people around him.

“I wanted to be there for my teammates," he said. "I knew my mom and family really enjoyed watching me play hockey, and my dad would have wanted me to go back and play. I mostly did it for them, but it wasn't easy. I think my teammates knew that I wasn't at 100%."

Schwartz finished the campaign with just eight goals and 21 points in 40 contests. He missed 16 games due to an oblique injury and didn't register a point in the Blues' first-round loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

"I tried to do everything I could, but mentally and physically, I wasn't where I needed to be," Schwartz said. "It was the toughest year I've ever had in my life. I know I didn't finish well with the Blues, and that sucks, but I wasn't mentally ready for an NHL season at all."

After spending the first 10 campaigns of his career in St. Louis, Schwartz is more than ready to begin a new chapter in Seattle.

"I'm doing a lot better now," Schwartz said. "Mentally, I'm in a better spot, and I was able to train. I feel fresh again."

He added: "Seattle is such a good city, and being part of an expansion team in the new city is pretty special."

Schwartz signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million with the Kraken earlier this offseason.

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New York Rangers icon Rod Gilbert has died at the age of 80, the team announced Sunday.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Gilbert - one of the greatest Rangers to ever play for our organization and one of the greatest ambassadors the game of hockey has ever had," said Rangers owner James Dolan.

Gilbert, nicknamed "Mr. Ranger," was one of the most prolific wingers of his era. He's New York's all-time leader in goals (406) and points (1,021). Gilbert suited up on Broadway from 1960-1978 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.

His No. 7 was raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters in 1979. Gilbert was the first player in franchise history to have his number retired.

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Canada breezed past the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) with a 5-1 win Sunday night at the Women's World Hockey Championship.

It marked Canada's second consecutive victory to begin the tournament, having edged Finland 5-3 in a tight contest Friday.

After a scoreless first period, Sarah Fillier scored the first of three Canadian goals in the middle frame. Ella Shelton, Erin Ambrose, Melodie Daoust, and Rebecca Johnston recorded Canada's additional tallies.

Canada thoroughly dominated play, outshooting its opponent 62-7. The ROC's lone goal came with one second remaining in the contest.

Canada returns to action Tuesday against Switzerland in its third of four round-robin games.

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A native of St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, David Savard has already brought the Stanley Cup back to his home province. This time around, he wants to do it as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

"We're going to try to bring it back (to Montreal), that's the plan for next year," Savard said, according to writers at NHL.com. "We're all planning to return to the final and to win it."

Savard was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of a three-way trade involving the Detroit Red Wings days before the deadline. He was a solid stay-at-home defenseman for the Bolts and put up five points in 20 playoff games to help them repeat as champions.

The 30-year-old saw his newest team up close and personal in the finals as the Lightning dispatched the Habs in five games.

"I liked the way the Canadiens played against us in the final. They have several veterans who've already won the Cup," he said. "I'm going to try to bring my own baggage and make it an even better team."

Savard currently lives 20 minutes north of Quebec City in Lac-Beauport and had his day with the Cup on Wednesday. He signed a four-year, $14-million deal with the Canadiens earlier this offseason.

"I'm looking forward to putting on the skates and playing a first game at Bell Centre," he added. "It will be nice to be closer to my family and my friends."

Savard joins other notable newcomers such as Mike Hoffman and Cedric Paquette as the Canadiens hunt for more playoff success.

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