Wild Sign Kirill Kaprizov to Record-Setting Extension

The Minnesota Wild and superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov have agreed to a massive contract after a lengthy negotiation.

Apr 29, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) warms up before the start of game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild have signed superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year extension worth $17 million annually ($136 million total value), which will keep him in the State of Hockey through the 2033-34 season. ESPN's Kevin Weekes first reported the deal while TSN and The Athletic's Chris Johnston first reported the exact value.

Kirill Kaprizov lands a new NHL record deal in both total dollars and annual compensation on his extension in Minnesota:

8 years x $17M AAV = $136 million

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 30, 2025

It's the largest contract in NHL history in terms of both annual value, surpassing the eight-year deal worth $14 million annually that Leon Draisaitl signed with the Edmonton Oilers last summer, and total value, surpassing a 13-year deal worth $124 million that Alex Ovechkin signed with the Washington Capitals way back in 2008.

Kaprizov, 28, is entering the final year of a five-year deal worth $9 million annually ($45 million total value) that he signed back in 2021.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Kaprizov has been one of the very best players in the NHL since entering the league in 2020-21. In 319 NHL games, the Russian forward has 185 goals and 386 points with a plus-71 rating while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time. He also has 15 goals and 21 points in 25 postseason games.

Sep 25, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) smiles as center Marco Rossi (23) scores the first goal of the game against the Dallas Stars in the first period at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Kaprizov unfortunately only played 41 games last season, but still put up monster numbers with 25 goals and 56 points. He was also the team's leading scorer in the playoffs with five goals and nine points in a six-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Wild know they have a special player on their hands, and they made it a priority to extend him this offseason. However, doing so was more difficult than perhaps they anticipated. Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year deal worth $16 million annually, fueling speculation that he could leave next summer.

Fortunately for the Wild, they avoided the crisis and managed to lock their superstar up long-term.

Minnesota has been a good team with Kaprizov leading the way, but postseason success has remained elusive. The Wild have lost in the first round in each of their past eight postseason appearances and haven't won a series since 2015. They've also made it past the second round just once in their 25-year history, which came all the way back in 2003.

If they're ever going to get over the hump, though, then keeping Kaprizov around was an absolute must, and they accomplished that goal.

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