The Minnesota Wild just made NHL history by signing Kirill Kaprizov to a massive $136 million deal that’ll make him the highest-paid player ever in the league.
The eight-year contract extension will pay the star winger an eye-popping $17 million per season, starting in 2026-27.
It’s a huge bet on Kaprizov, who’s become one of hockey’s most exciting players since joining the NHL in 2020. The 27-year-old Russian has already racked up three 40-goal seasons, including a career-best 47 goals in 2021-22.
The deal crushes previous NHL records. It tops Alex Ovechkin’s $124 million contract from 2008 and blows past Leon Draisaitl’s current highest annual salary of $14 million.
What makes this even more interesting? Kaprizov actually turned down an earlier offer of $128 million. Looks like holding out for more paid off.
Last season wasn’t his best – he missed 41 games with a lower-body injury and finished with 25 goals and 31 assists. But the Wild clearly aren’t worried about that being a long-term issue.
It’s pretty amazing considering Kaprizov was just a fifth-round draft pick back in 2015. Since then, he’s won Rookie of the Year (the Calder Trophy) and made it to three All-Star Games.
The contract will keep him in Minnesota through 2034, when he’ll be 35. That’s a long time to build around one player, but the Wild are betting Kaprizov’s electric scoring touch will keep lighting up the ice for years to come.
For Minnesota fans wondering if he’s worth all that money? Just look at what he’s done so far – turning from a late-round draft pick into one of the NHL’s most dangerous scorers. The Wild are banking on plenty more highlight-reel goals in their future.
