The Minnesota Wild signed star forward Kirill Kaprizov to an NHL-record eight-year, $136 million contract extension on Tuesday.
The deal, which begins in the 2026-27 season, carries a $17 million annual cap hit for the Wild and comes on the heels of Kaprizov reportedly rejecting an eight-year, $128 million extension earlier this month.
Kaprizov, 28, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 once his five-year, $45 million contract expired. He spoke on his desire to sign another contract with the Wild earlier this month.
“You guys know I like Minny and everyone knows this,” Kaprizov said on Sept. 18. “We have a lot of time [to sign]. It’s just 2025 and it’s one more year I have. I just want to play hockey and focus and win some games and go into playoffs and win there. Just focus on this now.”
Kaprizov’s contract is the highest in NHL history in terms of total money and average annual value, besting the previous deal of Washington Capitals superstar captain Alex Ovechkin, who previously played under a $124 million contract that ran from 2008-20.
Kaprizov’s extension eclipses the contract of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, who held the distinction of having the league’s current most expensive contract in terms of total value ($112 million over eight years) and average annual value ($14 million).
It’s also worth noting that Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract.
Kaprizov recorded 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) and a plus-19 rating in just 41 games during an injury-riddled season in 2024-25.
The Calder Trophy recipient as the NHL’s top rookie in 2020-21, Kaprizov has totaled 386 points (185 goals, 201 assists) and a plus-71 rating in 319 career games with the Wild.
