A rising salary cap was expected to lift all boats but it appears there have been a few complications along the way. Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid’s situation is one among those.
With McDavid’s contract extension yet to be finalized, it appears the holdup has had a butterfly effect around the league.
Will Connor McDavid’s Next Deal Decide Kirill Kaprizov’s Future?
Forbes recently valued one NHL franchise at $1.55 billion, with revenues topping $200 million and strong gate receipts of more than $64 million. Numbers like those underline how crucial one decision can be when it involves a star player whose next deal could reshape both the balance sheet and the team’s competitive outlook.
The franchise in question is none other than the Minnesota Wild, whose superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov finds himself in a McDavid-esque situation. The 28-year-old winger is heading into the final year of his five-year, $45 million contract, and the future of the franchise hinges on what happens next.
Reports have suggested he rejected an eight-year, $128 million offer, though executives denied any formal refusal. Still, multiple insiders maintain his camp is holding back for one key reason: waiting to see how Connor McDavid’s contract negotiations unfold in Edmonton.
One source told Marco D’Amico of RG Media, “He’s going to wait until McDavid signs his deal and then make his decision… The Wild’s owner put himself in a tough spot by saying he’d make Kaprizov the highest-paid player. Now his hands are tied.”
McDavid, 28, is also approaching the end of his current deal, an eight-year, $100 million contract signed back in 2017. His next extension is expected to reset the market, potentially pushing beyond $16 million annually. That looming figure explains why Kaprizov’s side appears in no hurry to commit.
If McDavid signs a record-breaking contract, it would provide Kaprizov with the leverage to ask for $18M or even $19 million per season. That figure approaches the 20 percent salary-cap maximum allowed under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.
For Kaprizov, waiting could mean a bigger payday. For the team, it means walking into a pivotal season with no long-term clarity around its most important player.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The financial picture highlights the stakes. Player expenses already sit close to $98 million, and allocating nearly one-fifth of future cap space to one player could require tough roster decisions. Yet ownership remains engaged.
The uncertainty has fueled plenty of speculation. Russian outlets claimed the team has asked Kaprizov for a trade list, hinting at a worst-case scenario. Those rumors were quickly denied by sources close to the organization, who insist that no such request has been made. The focus remains solely on securing a long-term extension.
That strategy ties directly back to Edmonton. McDavid’s decision will almost certainly dictate the timing of Kaprizov’s next move. If the Oilers captain resets the ceiling for superstar contracts, Kaprizov is positioned to follow. If negotiations in Edmonton drag out, the uncertainty in Minnesota may continue well into the season.
