Kirill Kaprizov, selected 135th in the 2015 NHL Draft, is approaching a contract extension that could make him the highest-paid player in the league once his current deal expires in 2026. Reports from Joe Smith and Michael Russo of The Athletic reveal that the Minnesota Wild may propose an eight-year contract worth $120 million, which would translate to a $15 million average annual value (AAV), surpassing existing top NHL salaries.

This potential contract amount would exceed Leon Draisaitl’s recent eight-year, $112 million agreement with the Edmonton Oilers, which carries a $14 million AAV, as well as Mitch Marner’s $96 million eight-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, which has a $12 million AAV. Kaprizov’s present contract runs five years at $45 million total, with a $9 million cap hit.

Kaprizov’s Performance and Contract Negotiations

This past season, Kaprizov led the Wild in scoring with 56 points, despite participating in only 41 games. He tallied 25 goals and 31 assists, maintained a +19 plus/minus rating, and registered five game-winning goals. His average ice time exceeded 22 minutes per game. In the playoffs, he continued to impress, contributing five goals and four assists over six games while averaging more than 23 minutes per game and scoring three power-play goals.

Regarding contract negotiations, Kaprizov has remained cautious, sharing in a May interview,

“We’ll see. I love everything here. It should be all good.”

—Kirill Kaprizov

Journalists Joe Smith and Michael Russo note uncertainty about whether Kaprizov prefers a long-term commitment or a shorter deal, emphasizing that the Wild need to balance their willingness to meet his salary demands. They remarked,

“He’s irreplaceable. So the price tag is going to be high.”

—Joe Smith and Michael Russo

Minnesota Wild Leadership Committed to Securing Kaprizov

Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin confirmed in May that re-signing Kaprizov remains the organization’s foremost priority. Guerin described Kaprizov as a “star” and expressed confidence in reaching a contract agreement soon. He also echoed statements by team owner Craig Leipold, insisting no other NHL team can offer more favorable terms:

“My expectations are to get him signed,”

—Bill Guerin

“Nobody can offer him more than we can… I’ll just say that I’m very confident we’re going to get a deal done with Kirill.”

—Bill Guerin

Guerin also emphasized Kaprizov’s positive relationship with the Wild, noting the player’s contentment and trust in the team. Kaprizov currently stands as Minnesota’s leading offensive threat and ranks among the league’s most skilled forwards.

Implications of a Record-Breaking NHL Contract

If Kaprizov signs the projected $120 million extension, it will raise the bar for player salaries across the NHL, reaffirming his status as a franchise cornerstone for the Wild. The contract’s size would outpace Mitch Marner’s NHL contract comparison, highlighting Kaprizov’s value and influence in the league. Such a commitment reflects the Wild’s intention to secure a key player who can drive team success well into the future.