The Minnesota Wild received a major setback in contract negotiations Tuesday when star winger Kirill Kaprizov rejected an eight-year, $128-million extension offer, sources told insider Frank Seravalli.
The proposed deal would have made history as the NHL’s richest contract in both total money and average annual value at $16 million per season.
Kaprizov becomes a pending unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.
Wild owner Craig Leipold expressed confidence just last week that the team would reach an agreement soon. He predicted Kaprizov’s eventual contract would likely break NHL records for total value.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl currently holds the league’s highest average annual value at $14 million per season. That mark won’t stand much longer.
Several superstars are positioned to reset the market in 2026. Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kaprizov can all sign extensions or test unrestricted free agency that summer.
The 28-year-old Russian has been Minnesota’s franchise player since arriving in 2020-21.
Kaprizov won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in his debut season. He’s recorded 386 points in 319 career games with the Wild.
This season started with Kaprizov among the Hart Trophy frontrunners before injury cut his campaign short. He finished third in team scoring despite playing just 41 games.
Minnesota selected Kaprizov in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. He spent five seasons in the KHL before making the jump to North America.
Kaprizov currently carries the Wild’s highest cap hit at $9 million annually. His existing contract includes a no-movement clause, according to PuckPedia.
