Sep 30, 2025 - Sports

Kirill Kaprizov re-signs with the Wild

Kyle Stokes

A hockey player in a green Minnesota Wild jersey on the ice in half-light during the US national anthem — Kirill Kaprizov will be wearing this sweater for the foreseeable future. Photo: Luke Schmidt/NHLI via Getty Images

Breathe easy, Wild fans. Minnesota locked in Kirill Kaprizov to a record-setting eight-year contract extension Tuesday.

Why it matters: In Kaprizov, the Wild have locked in a franchise cornerstone who they believe can elevate the team from being a perennial playoff underdog into a true Stanley Cup contender.

Stunning stat: The deal, worth $17 million per year through 2033-34, makes Kaprizov the NHL's highest-paid player — at least for now.

Edmonton megastar Connor McDavid is still negotiating his next contract.

Catch up quick: The deal comes two weeks after news leaked that Kaprizov had rejected an earlier offer worth $16 million per year, triggering heart palpitations that registered on seismographs in the State of Hockey.

It raised the specter that the Wild star hadn't bought in on GM Bill Guerin's master plan.

Friction points: The deal isn't without risk for either side.

Kaprizov missed half of last season with a lower-body injury that ultimately required surgery, and also lost 13 games to injury in 2023.
The NHL's salary cap is also due to skyrocket, which means Kaprizov could have commanded a higher salary in a few years if he signed a shorter-term deal now.

What we're watching: Whether the Wild are truly done building the team.

They still have about $5 million in salary cap room, per Puckpedia — which is enough to make another meaningful mid-season roster addition.

What's next: The Wild open their season on Oct. 9 in St. Louis.

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Kirill Kaprizov re-signs with the Wild

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