Kirill Kaprizov’s New Deal with Wild Looks Even More Expensive Now

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has talked for months about money being a non-issue when it comes to the extension he wanted Bill Geurin to give Kirill Kaprizov. That takes plenty of the negotiating power out of the situation, and ultimately the franchise landed on a big number.

Not only did Kaprizov sign the richest contract in NHL history, but the average annual value also tops the charts. There was an expectation that he could be waiting to see what Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid was going to do. The result of that is shocking.

Connor McDavid’s deal makes Wild payday for Kaprizov look crazy

It was less than a week ago when the Minnesota Wild announced an eight-year, $136 million deal to keep Kirill Kaprizov in their sweater. Kaprizov is 28 years old, and Connor McDavid is as well. McDavid is the more decorated player and was expected to be the one player capable of surpassing Kaprizov’s deal.

THE CAPTAIN 🫡

The #Oilers have signed forward Connor McDavid to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $12.5 million! pic.twitter.com/UYpGe4NKkx

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 6, 2025

Somewhat surprisingly, that’s not how it worked out. McDavid signed for just one-fourth of the duration Kaprizov agreed to, and his $12.5 million average annual value is $4.5 million shy of the Wild’s star.

McDavid’s willingness to play for less yearly, and a short-term commitment, provide Edmonton flexibility both now and in the future. Kaprizov will account for roughly 18% of the Minnesota Wild’s salary cap this season. By the tail end, that number will be closer to 15%.

By choosing to play on a short-term deal, for a bit less money, McDavid gives the Oilers a more straightforward path to add talent around him. He will also be up for another contract extension when he still has plenty of good years ahead of him, and the salary cap will have risen by the time for those negotiations.

Neither Kaprizov or McDavid have won a Stanley Cup. You have to have a player of their caliber in order to accomplish that, but a single talent isn’t good enough to carry a hockey team. Edmonton finished with 101 points last season compared to the Wild’s 97.

General manager Bill Geurin has to hope he hits on additions like Nico Sturm and Vladimir Tarasenko if Kaprizov’s contract is going to pay off. The Oilers will have more room to maneuver while looking for the Ontario native to win a Cup.