The Minnesota Wild have made NHL history, signing superstar left wing Kirill Kaprizov to a jaw-dropping eight-year, $136 million contract extension that will make him the highest-paid player in league history. The deal, which averages $17 million annually, was announced on September 30, 2025, and will kick in at the start of the 2026-27 season, running through the 2033-34 campaign. For Wild fans and hockey followers everywhere, this is a seismic moment—one that cements Kaprizov’s place as the franchise’s cornerstone and a bona fide league icon.
Kaprizov, who just turned 28 this past April, has been nothing short of electrifying since joining Minnesota in 2020. Over five seasons, he’s racked up 386 points (185 goals, 201 assists) in 319 regular-season games, all while dazzling crowds with his blend of speed, skill, and hockey IQ. His 1.21 points per game average isn’t just the best in Wild history—it’s right up there with the NHL’s elite, trailing only the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin through their first 300 games among active players.
Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin didn’t mince words in the team’s official announcement, hailing Kaprizov’s impact and commitment. The extension, Guerin said, “ensures our fans will get to watch one of the most dynamic players in the game for years to come.” The numbers certainly back that up. Kaprizov leads the franchise in points per game (1.21), goals per game (0.58), and overtime goals (10). He’s also second in power-play goals (62) and multi-goal games (35), fourth in overall goals (185) and game-winning goals (27), and fifth in total points (386).
Kaprizov’s journey to this record-breaking moment has been anything but ordinary. Drafted in the fifth round (No. 135 overall) back in 2015, he spent six seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he amassed 230 points in 293 games and appeared in five straight KHL All-Star Games. His international pedigree is just as impressive—he led the Olympic Athletes from Russia to gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics, notching nine points in six games and scoring the overtime winner in the final against Germany. And who could forget his role as team captain at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he piled up 12 points in seven games to help Russia secure bronze?
Since making his NHL debut, Kaprizov has shattered franchise records left and right. In his rookie campaign, shortened by COVID-19, he tallied 51 points in 56 games and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie—the first Wild player to ever claim that honor. The following season, he set single-season franchise marks with 108 points (47 goals, 61 assists), including a 14-game point streak and a seven-game goal streak—both franchise records. He’s the only player in Wild history with three consecutive 40-goal seasons, accomplishing the feat from 2021 through 2024.
Even injuries haven’t slowed him down. During the 2024-25 campaign, Kaprizov missed half the season but still managed 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) in just 41 games. He led Minnesota in plus-minus (+19), ranked second in goals, and finished third in points. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he was even more clutch, racking up a team-leading nine points (five goals, four assists) and three power-play goals in just six games. Kaprizov also set a franchise record for the fewest games needed to reach 50 points, hitting the milestone in his 34th game of the 2024-25 season.
Kaprizov’s meteoric rise and consistent production made him a hot commodity, and the Wild’s front office knew they had to act decisively. Before agreeing to this historic extension, Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year, $128 million offer—a clear sign he was betting on himself. That gamble paid off. His new $17 million annual average value blows past the previous high-water mark set by Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl ($14 million cap hit) and eclipses Alex Ovechkin’s $124 million total contract. The extension is a statement, not just about Kaprizov’s value to Minnesota, but about the shifting economics of the NHL’s elite talent.
“Kirill the Thrill,” as fans affectionately call him, has become the face of the franchise and a symbol of hope for a Wild team hungry for postseason success. He’s represented Minnesota at three NHL All-Star Games (2022-24) and holds franchise records for power-play goals in a season (19 in 2023-24) and power-play points (41 in 2023-24). His knack for the dramatic—10 career overtime goals and 27 game-winners—has made him a must-watch every time he hits the ice.
It’s not just Kaprizov making headlines this offseason. The NHL’s 2025 summer has been a whirlwind of player movement. Forward Mitch Marner landed with the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster sign-and-trade, while Nikolaj Ehlers inked a deal with the Hurricanes. Mikael Granlund joined the Ducks, Vladislav Gavrikov signed with the Rangers, and Brent Burns found a new home with the Avalanche. The list goes on: Connor Brown to the Devils, Jeff Skinner to the Sharks, Travis Hamonic to the Red Wings, and a slew of trades that saw names like Noah Dobson, K’Andre Miller, Mason Marchment, Viktor Arvidsson, John Gibson, Chris Kreider, Evander Kane, JJ Peterka, Michael Kesselring, Josh Doan, and Trevor Zegras switch sweaters.
Still, no move has sent shockwaves through the hockey world quite like Kaprizov’s extension. For the Wild, locking up their superstar was priority number one, and the deal signals their intent to build a perennial contender around him. The timing couldn’t be better: Minnesota hosts the Winnipeg Jets tonight, with fans already buzzing about the team’s future. Single-game tickets, season memberships, and suite rentals are flying off the shelves, and the Wild’s front office is urging supporters to secure their seats for what promises to be an exhilarating era.
With Kaprizov’s signature on the dotted line, the Wild have secured not just a player, but a generational talent whose best years may still be ahead. As the puck drops on a new season and the league’s landscape shifts, all eyes will be on St. Paul to see just how far “Kirill the Thrill” can take Minnesota. If history is any guide, fans are in for one heck of a ride.
