Minnesota Sports Today

Minnesota Sports News Continuously Updated

Minnesota Wild Star Kirill Kaprizov Signs Massive Extension

by

The Minnesota Wild have broken the bank on one of their best players. News emerged that superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov has inked a massive extension. The Russian forward has signed an eight-year contract worth $136 million, covering the duration of the deal. This contract runs through the end of the 2033-34 season and carries a massive salary cap hit of $17 million per season. The deal is the largest contract in NHL history.

Minnesota Wild Sign Kirill Kaprizov to Massive Extension

Kaprizov has only played for the Wild over his five-year NHL career. The 28-year-old recorded 25 goals and 31 assists for 56 points in 41 games this season. These point totals occurred despite him dealing with injuries for a good chunk of the season. He had a Corsi for of 58.5 and a relative Corsi of 13.8.

The Novokuznetsk, Russia native has 185 goals and 201 assists for 386 points in 319 career games. Minnesota originally draft him in the fifth round, 135th overall of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Kaprizov won the Calder Trophy in the 2021 season and made the All-Rookie team in that same season. He has been a 40-plus goal scorer in three straight seasons, but injuries kept him off the ice for 41 games this season.

What It Means

The Russian forward is going to get himself a massive payday when his contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season. He is now one of the highest-paid forwards in the league and the superstar that the franchise has craved.

The one question about this deal is if Kaprizov can stay healthy. He’s not played a full 82-game season in his five-year NHL career. Kaprizov did play in 81 games in 2021-22, but hasn’t been able to replicate that.

Wild fans are hoping that this big-money deal works out unlike the massive ones for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Minnesota GM Bill Guerin is hoping this gamble pays off for him and the franchise.

Main photo by: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The post Minnesota Wild Star Kirill Kaprizov Signs Massive Extension appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.