MN Wild + Kirill Kaprizov Contract is Finally Done and It’s MASSIVE…
The Minnesota Wild had been dancing back and forth in contract talks with Kirill Kaprizov all offseason. For months, president of hockey operations Bill Guerin has preached patience, while fans grew increasingly anxious over any nightmare that involved losing the greatest player in franchise history.
Thankfully, those anxieties received a long-term Xanax prescription in the form of a Kirill Kaprizov contract extension that will keep the superstar in a MN Wild sweater for most of the next decade.
Kirill Kaprizov agrees to contract extension with Minnesota Wild
According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), Kirill’s new contract is worth 8 years, just like the Wild’s original offer. The difference is in the money. The final numbers have yet to come through but Russo is reporting that this deal is worth $136 million, which is $8 million more than what the Minnesota Wild originally offered.
But that’s not all. Outside of $1 million per season, Kaprizov will get his all of his money paid in signing bonuses, meaning all eight years of his new deal will be paid almost entirely up front, three months before each season starts, on July 1. Obviously, it also includes a full no-trade clause.
#mnwild upped their offer and signed Kaprizov to a $136 million deal. $17M per. Highest AAV and total dollars in NHL history.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 30, 2025
Kaprizov structure is truly one of a kind, per sources. He's getting 20% of $95.5M cap in salary/signing bonuses ($19.1M) his 1st 4 years
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 30, 2025
He has $1 million salaries in each of the 8 years.
July 1 signing bonuses: 2026: $18.1M; 2027: $18.1M; 2028: $18.1M; 2029: $18.1M; 2030:…
This offseason, the Minnesota Wild found themselves with new salary cap flexibility, after (most of) the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyout penalties finally fell off the books. That money was spent cautiously with little external help coming to John Hynes’ 2025-26 roster.
It appears that ESPN Insider Kevin Weekes was first with the news. Minnesota upped their original offer and both the $17 million annually, as well as the $136 million total, are new NHL records. The deal will kick in next season, so this extension will run through the 2033-34 season.
How does Kaprizov’s new contract compare to other NHL stars?
The total figure is $12 million more than Alexander Oveckhin’s $124 million deal with the Washington Capitals. That 13-year pact was signed in 2008. Prior to Kaprizov’s new deal, Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl owned the highest average annual value at $14 million on his eight-year, $112 million contract.
The 28-year-old was a fifth round pick by Minnesota in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Across five NHL seasons, Kaprizov has logged 185 goals in 319 games. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie team in 2020-21 as well as winning the Calder Memorial Trophy (best rookie) that season.
KAPRIZOV WINS IT IN OT IN HIS RETURN!! 🤯
— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025
The FIFTEENTH goal of the game is Kirill Kaprizov's @Energizer overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/drDqddz0qq
Kaprizov has been battling an eye infection during training camp. He should be all systems go by next week’s regular season opener, however. Last season Kaprizov scored 25 goals (56 points) in 41 games for the Wild.
Minnesota is entering their 25th year in existence, and will celebrate the quarter-century anniversary with special games and throwback uniforms. Kaprizov is looking to deliver the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Trophy.
The Minnesota Wild are in action on Tuesday night for preseason hockey at home against the Winnipeg Jets. The regular season begins on Thursday October 9th in St. Louis against the Blues.
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