kirill kaprizov

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Here’s a summary of Kirill Kaprizov and his contract situation / status with the Minnesota Wild:

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🏒 Basic Info

• Kirill Kaprizov is a left wing / winger who plays (or has played) for the Minnesota Wild in the NHL.

• He was drafted in 2015 (in the 5th round) by Minnesota, but stayed in the KHL before eventually joining the Wild. nhl.com+2ESPN.com+2

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📜 Contract & Salary Details

Existing Contract (2021 – 2026)

• Kaprizov signed a 5-year, USD 45,000,000 deal with the Wild on September 21, 2021. 

• That gives him an average annual value (AAV) / cap hit of USD 9,000,000. ESPN.com+3spotrac.com+3puckpedia.com+3

• The contract is set to expire after the 2025-26 season, at which point he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA). 

Extension / New Contract Negotiations

• The Wild have expressed that re-signing Kaprizov is a top priority. 

• Kaprizov reportedly rejected an offer of 8 years, USD 128 million (which would have meant USD 16 million AAV) from Minnesota. thescore.com+4Sportsnet.ca+4bringmethenews.com+4

• That offer would have made him one of the highest-paid players in NHL history in terms of average salary and total value. 

• As of now, the contract extension talks are reported as “not close” or stalled. 

• The Wild owner has stated that “no team will offer him more than us,” implying the Wild are prepared to put forward a competitive offer. 

• There are also constraints with the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on how long a contract can be, when it can start, and what bonus structure is allowed. 

🏒 Who Is Kirill Kaprizov?

• Full name: Kirill Sergeyevich Kaprizov

• Born: April 26, 1997, in Novokuznetsk, Russia

• Position: Left wing / forward

• Physical: Around 5’10″, ~202 lbs (varies across sources)

• He came to the NHL after a successful career in the KHL (Russian league), where he played for teams like Metallurg Novokuznetsk and CSKA Moscow.

• Kaprizov made his NHL debut with Minnesota in January 2021. 

  • In that debut, he scored 3 points including an overtime winner — a very rare feat. 

  • He won the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) in 2020-21, becoming the first Wild player to do so. 

  • In his rookie year, he set franchise records for goals and points by a rookie (27 goals, 51 points). Wikipedia

Since then, he’s become the cornerstone of Minnesota’s offense, regularly among the league’s top scorers and applying a high level of creativity, speed, and scoring touch.

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📄 Kaprizov’s Contract History & Current Deal

Existing Contract (2021 – 2026)

• On September 21, 2021, Kaprizov signed a 5-year, $45 million extension with the Wild. puckpedia.com+5Wikipedia+5spotrac.com+5

• That contract carries an average annual value (AAV) / cap hit of $9 million per season. 

• The contract structure (base salaries over the years) includes varying amounts:

  • 2021-22: ~$5M base

  • 2022-23: ~$10M base

  • 2023-24: ~$12.5M base

  • 2024-25: ~$10M

  • 2025-26: ~$7.5M

  • But importantly, the cap hit is constant (i.e. $9M) across those seasons. 

• That deal expires after the 2025-26 season, at which point Kaprizov becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA). Wikipedia+5puckpedia.com+5spotrac.com+5

Thus, we are currently in the final stretch of that contract, which is why extension talks are so important now.

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🔍 Contract Extension Drama: What’s Happening Now

Reported Offers & Rejections

• In recent months, the Wild have reportedly made record-breaking offers to Kaprizov to retain him beyond 2026. hockeywilderness.com+7hockeywilderness.com+7prohockeyrumors.com+7

• One such reported proposal was 8 years, $128 million, implying a $16 million AAV — which would have made him the highest-paid player in NHL history by AAV. 

• However, those reports say that Kaprizov’s camp turned down that extension offer. 

• The theories for the rejection include Kaprizov wanting to see how the team builds its roster, assessing his future value, or not yet being fully convinced by the offers. 

What the Wild (and Owner) Are Saying

• Owner Craig Leipold has publicly insisted that the Wild plan to keep Kaprizov, saying “nobody will offer more money than us” and that they will prove their commitment. 

• And he’s made statements like “I’ve got Kirill’s contract in my pocket,” signaling confidence in reaching a deal. 

• According to NHL.com, if Kaprizov signs after July 1, 2026, he can only negotiate a 7-year deal (rather than 8). That gives the Wild incentive to extend before then. 

• GM Bill Guerin has also suggested that while discussions are ongoing, things “just take time.” bringmethenews.com+2athlonsports.com+2

• Some insiders believe the two sides will meet in person around training camp to negotiate. 

Risks & Considerations

• Injury history: Kaprizov has had seasons where he missed significant time due to injury. Some analysts warn that a long-term, high-value contract could backfire if injuries persist. 

• Cap implications: With rising salary caps and the structure of the new NHL CBA, the maximum allowed signing bonuses, base salaries, and contract design will be constrained. 

• Performance & expectations: Even in a season affected by injuries, Kaprizov posted 56 points in 41 games in 2024-25, which underscores his value. athlonsports.com+3Reuters+3Wikipedia+3

• Leverage & free agency: Kaprizov holding off now gives him leverage if multiple teams bid in 2026. The Wild want to avoid losing him for nothing.

Recent Resolution (New Extension)

• As of September 30, 2025, Kaprizov and the Wild agreed on an eight-year, $136 million extension. 

• That deal gives an average annual value (“AAV”) of $17 million, which would be the highest per-season rate ever in the NHL under a single contract. 

• The extension will begin with the 2026-27 season, after his current deal expires.

• With that extension, Minnesota secures its superstar long-term and positions him as the clear franchise staple. 

So the impasse apparently ended, with Kaprizov locking in a historic contract.

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🏒 Impact & Legacy with the Wild

• Since joining the Wild, Kaprizov has shattered franchise records for goals, points, and historic achievements in rookie seasons. Wikipedia+2ESPN.com+2

• He’s become the face of the franchise and its most dynamic offensive player.

• The new extension cements him as a generational player for Minnesota, with expectations to carry the Wild into deeper playoff success.

• The size and length of his contract will raise the bar for future player deals and is a major bet for the organization.