Kirill Kaprizov, the Minnesota Wild's superstar winger, has reportedly turned down a massive contract extension offer that would have made him the highest-paid player in the NHL. The offer, an eight-year deal worth $128 million, was rejected by Kaprizov's camp on Tuesday, September 9th, during a meeting in Minnesota.
The news, first reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli on Wednesday, sent shockwaves through the hockey world, with fans and analysts expressing surprise and speculation about the reasons behind the rejection. The proposed contract would have carried an average annual value (AAV) of $16 million, setting a new league record in both AAV and total earnings.
Kaprizov, 28, is currently under contract with the Wild for one more season, earning $9 million. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Selected 135th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Kaprizov has quickly become one of the league's most dynamic offensive players. In his five seasons with the Wild, he has established himself as a consistent point-per-game performer, scoring 40+ goals in three seasons and winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2021. Despite an injury-riddled 2024-25 season where he was limited to 41 games, Kaprizov still managed to score 25 goals and 31 assists.
The reasons for Kaprizov's rejection of the contract offer remain unclear. Several theories have emerged, ranging from a desire for a shorter-term deal to potential dissatisfaction with the Wild's long-term prospects. Some speculate that Kaprizov may be looking for a contract structure similar to what Connor McDavid might pursue in his upcoming negotiations, allowing him to re-evaluate his options sooner. Others suggest that he might be betting on himself to increase his value even further, especially with the league's salary cap expected to rise in the coming years.
The NHL salary cap for the 2025-26 season is $95.5 million. The league has announced the 2026-27 salary cap will be no more than $104 million. If Kaprizov remains unsigned and the salary cap is set at $104 million, his maximum annual salary could be $20.8 million.
The rejection of such a lucrative offer raises questions about Kaprizov's future with the Wild. While team owner Craig Leipold had previously expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with Kaprizov, this development suggests that negotiations may be more challenging than initially anticipated.
Wild winger Matt Boldy acknowledged the situation, stating his desire for Kaprizov to remain with the team but also recognizing that the contract decision is ultimately not his. With training camp approaching on September 19th, the Wild will undoubtedly be eager to resolve the situation and secure their star player for the long term.
