According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, star winger Kirill Kaprizov turned down an eight-year, $128 million contract extension offer from the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. This proposed deal would have made Kaprizov the highest-paid player in NHL history, both in terms of average annual value ($16 million) and total contract dollars.
Kaprizov is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and has been eligible to sign an extension with Minnesota since July 1st. Currently, Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl holds the title of the NHL`s highest-paid player, with an annual cap hit of $14.0 million.
The upcoming season marks the final year of Kaprizov`s existing five-year, $45 million contract, which he signed in 2021. His current agreement also includes a full no-move clause.
During the 2024-25 season, the Wild`s prominent player recorded 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) despite missing 41 games due to a lower-body injury. Prior to this injury-shortened season, Kaprizov had achieved three consecutive 40-goal campaigns, including a career-best 47 goals in 2021-22.
Since his NHL debut in 2020, the Russian forward has established himself as one of the league`s most dynamic offensive talents. Kaprizov, who was a fifth-round selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, earned the Calder Trophy as the league`s top rookie in 2020-21 and has been selected for three NHL All-Star Games.
Should Kaprizov not agree to an extension with Minnesota, he would become one of the league`s most highly sought-after free agents next summer. The 2026 free agency class is already anticipated to be one of the most star-studded in league history, potentially featuring names like Edmonton`s Connor McDavid, Vegas Golden Knights` Jack Eichel, Winnipeg Jets` Kyle Connor, and Los Angeles Kings` Adrian Kempe.
