Over the past decade or so, the Minnesota Wild have largely been treading water. While they have made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in eight of the past 10 seasons, they have failed to win a single postseason series during that stretch. There’s hope that could change heading into the 2025-26 campaign, though, as the Wild have amassed a strong roster with star talent and depth at every position.
The leader of that group, though, is forward Kirill Kaprizov, who has turned himself into one of the most lethal offensive players in the NHL. As he enters the final year of his current deal, it’s clear Kaprizov is in line for a massive raise, but a recent report indicates that he has turned down a historic contract offer from Minnesota.
Kirill Kaprizov Rejects Eight-Year, $128 Million Contract Offer from Wild
The Wild took a flier on Kaprizov back in the 2015 NHL Draft, selecting him in the fifth round with the hope that he could eventually become a key piece of their team. It took a while for Kaprizov to find his way to the pros, but once he did in 2020, he never looked back, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy after he racked up 27 goals and 24 assists in 55 games during his rookie campaign.
Since then, Kaprizov has been one of the most productive forwards in the league. Over the past four seasons, Kaprizov has averaged 1.27 points per game, and while he’s missed some time with injuries during that time, he hasn’t missed a beat once he’s found his way back on the ice. Despite playing in just 41 games last year, Kaprizov still scored 25 goals and dished out 31 assists.
This offseason, Minnesota’s front office has been working on getting a new contract hammered out with Kaprizov, as they don’t want to risk letting him hit the open market next offseason. The team reportedly offered Kaprizov an eight-year, $128 million deal that would have made him the highest-paid player in NHL history, but the Russian star and his camp turned down the offer.
“Sources say Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s camp turned down an extension offer believed to be 8-years, $128 million in a meeting on Tuesday in Minnesota that would have made him the highest-paid player in NHL history in both AAV ($16 million) and total dollars,” NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported in a post on X.
Do the Wild Have a Kirill Kaprizov Problem on Their Hands?
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 07: Kirill Kaprizov #97 of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After pushing all their chips to the middle of the table, only to get turned down by Kaprizov, the Wild find themselves in a bit of a predicament. They have already offered Kaprizov a groundbreaking deal, but he was not interested in it. As a result, their next move is unknown. Do they increase their offer in an attempt to convince Kaprizov to stay? Do they let him play out the final year of his contract and potentially leave for nothing? Or do they explore trades for him?
These are the options Minnesota’s front office is going to have to consider over the next few weeks as they try to figure out what to do with Kaprizov. With the 2025-26 season quickly approaching, though, some resolution before the team returns to the action would be welcome, and it will be on the front office to ensure that happens.
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