The Minnesota Wild made history, locking up their franchise star, Kirill Kaprizov, with the richest contract the NHL has ever seen. The deal surpasses all previous league contracts both in total value and annual average salary.
The 28-year-old forward was headed toward unrestricted free agency in 2026, but this new agreement ensures he will remain the face of the franchise well into the next decade.
Did Kirill Kaprizov Just Reset the NHL Market?
Kirill Kaprizov agreed to an eight-year extension worth $136 million, carrying a $17 million cap hit per season. Wild fans were sweating when he turned down a similar contract with a $16M average annual value, but with their backs against the wall, it appears GM Bill Guerin was happy to get his main man locked down.
8x$17M for Kaprizov
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 30, 2025
To put the deal in perspective, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is signed for the next two years at $8.7 million per season, meaning Kaprizov is set to earn nearly twice as much annually as one of the game’s most iconic players.
All things considered, Minnesota’s commitment to Kaprizov is just unprecedented. Fans and analysts were quick to react with the Wild making NHL history early in the day. One tweet joked that Kaprizov earning more than Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon was “criminal”.
Him making more than McDavid and Mackinnon is criminal 🤣💀
— Mighty Matt 💪🏼 (@HskrsStarsBucs) September 30, 2025
Another pointed out that the Wild are banking on the salary cap rising quickly.
That’s a lot of cheddar! Wild better hope the cap goes waaaaay up real quick
— NHL Betting Pro (@NHLBettingPro) September 30, 2025
Others called it a “historic day” and “record-breaking,” underlining the significance of the moment across the league.
A historic day pic.twitter.com/heOB6T997L
— Benchrates (@benchrates) September 30, 2025
The extension ends months of speculation. Earlier in the summer, Kaprizov turned down an eight-year, $128 million offer from Minnesota. That fueled rumors he might test free agency or even push for a trade list. Instead, the Wild increased their bid and reached the $136 million figure, cementing their commitment to their star.
Kirill Kaprizov’s Path to the Historic Deal
Kaprizov’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Drafted 135th overall in 2015, he didn’t debut until the 2020-21 season. From his first game, he proved himself as a top-tier talent, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Since then, he has scored 185 goals and 386 points in 319 games, adding another 21 points in 25 playoff appearances.
Last season was a reminder of both his talent and his fragility. Despite playing only 41 games due to a lower-body injury, Kaprizov still posted 25 goals and 56 points. His shooting percentage tied a career high, reinforcing his efficiency when healthy.
The Wild’s decision to commit record-setting money reflects both his production and his importance to the franchise. Three seasons with 40 or more goals and three All-Star nods have made him the centerpiece in Minnesota.
Kaprizov’s extension has ripple effects far beyond St. Paul. Insiders have already noted how this deal could reset the market for other pending unrestricted free agents such as Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Adrian Kempe, and Martin Necas. You’d think Connor McDavid would be part of that list, but the Oilers superstar is a unicorn, and all signs point towards McDavid dictating the terms of his next contract.
With the league’s salary cap projected to rise significantly over the next few years, players and agents will point to Kaprizov’s contract as a new benchmark.
The Wild open their season on October 9 in St. Louis, but even before the puck drops, they’ve already made the biggest move of the year.
