Kirill Kaprizov’s rise in Minnesota has been nothing short of phenomenal. Drafted in the fifth round in 2015, he’s become not just the face of the franchise but arguably the first true superstar in Minnesota Wild history.
Now, with the NHL salary cap climbing and superstar contracts soaring, all eyes are on Kaprizov’s next deal, one that could not only break records but also shape the Wild’s future for the next decade. With comparisons already being made to Leon Draisaitl’s $112 million extension, anticipation is building fast in the State of Hockey.
Kirill Kaprizov’s Upcoming Mega Extension Could Reshape the Minnesota Wild’s Future
The Wild have waited years to develop a homegrown talent capable of becoming the centerpiece of a Stanley Cup contender. In Kaprizov, they finally found him. And now comes the high-stakes part: locking him in for the long term and paying the price that comes with it.
At 28, Kaprizov is entering the prime of his career and remains one of the most electric players in the NHL. Despite an injury that limited him to just 41 games last season, he still posted 25 goals and 31 assists, a testament to his elite offensive ability.
In 319 career games, Kaprizov has racked up 185 goals and 201 assists, averaging over a point per game in each of his last four seasons. Those numbers are not just good; they’re elite. And elite talent gets paid.
Kirill Kaprizov talks about his leadership throughout the 2024-2025 season how Minnesota has become a second home
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— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 4, 2025
According to multiple NHL insiders, Wild’s General Manager Bill Guerin and owner Craig Leipold, the team is confident that a contract extension will be done this summer. The cap is rising, the Wild have the financial space, and Kaprizov himself has expressed belief in the team’s direction. The stars appear to be aligning.
The speculation now revolves around just how large this deal will be. With the salary cap increasing and players like Draisaitl recently signing for $14 million per year, many believe Kaprizov could secure a deal in the $15 million per year range, possibly $120 million over eight years.
That would not just make him one of the highest-paid players in the league; it would set a new standard for winger contracts.
And truthfully, he’s earned it. The Wild struck gold when they picked him late in the 2015 NHL Draft, and it has paid off in ways few could have predicted. Kaprizov has transformed the franchise’s identity, brought excitement back to Xcel Energy Center, and made Minnesota a legitimate playoff threat.
But Minnesota sports fans know better than to celebrate too early. The city’s long history of heartbreak, not winning a major men’s professional sports championship since the early 1990s, has bred a kind of cautious optimism. There’s always that nagging feeling that something could go wrong.
Still, the Wild are in a good place when it comes to this negotiation. The team has cap space and an ownership group willing to spend. More importantly, they understand what Kaprizov means to the franchise, not just as a player but as a symbol of what the team could become.
Once the extension is signed, which most believe is inevitable, the attention will shift quickly to what comes next: building a true contender around him. That’s the real challenge for Guerin and the front office.
Kaprizov may be worth every dollar, but if the Wild can’t give him a strong enough supporting cast, they risk wasting the best years of his career.
That means tough decisions are ahead. Minnesota must make smart moves with its remaining cap space, develop young talent, and avoid the kind of long-term contracts that can become anchors. With Kaprizov likely locked in as the core, the window to contend will be wide open, but not forever.
