Kirill Kaprizov Set for a Major Payday

Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov is on the verge of landing a lucrative contract that could set new records in the NHL. Recent reports from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast indicate that Kaprizov’s next deal could last for eight years with an annual salary of $16 million, amounting to a staggering total of $128 million.

Contract Insights

Currently, the 28-year-old winger is in the final year of a five-year, $45 million contract. If a new deal isn’t struck before the end of the season, he will enter unrestricted free agency next offseason. Wild owner Craig Leipold has expressed optimism about securing a new contract for Kaprizov, playfully noting that he has the player’s 'contract in my pocket.'

Leipold's Confidence in a Deal

Leipold stated, "I just feel like we're not that far off. I kind of think we're there. I like to believe when Kirill comes over and gets a sense again for the excitement and the love of the city, I think we'll be moving forward in a good direction," according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.

Potential Record-Breaking Deal

Currently, the richest contract in the NHL belongs to Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, who signed for $112 million over eight years, equating to $14 million annually. However, Leipold is ready to surpass both Draisaitl's and Alex Ovechkin's record 13-year, $124 million contract signed in 2008. He remarked, "This will be a huge deal — likely the biggest in the NHL ever. There’s no better human being or better hockey player or better person than Kirill. I think it will be a good conversation that we'll have with him. I'm very anxious and looking forward to that conversation. I think we'll move quickly after that."

Looking Ahead

As Kaprizov prepares for his sixth NHL season, he is coming off a challenging year, playing just 41 games due to a lower-body injury that required surgery. Despite this setback, he managed to score 25 goals and provide 31 assists, showcasing his talent and importance to the Wild.