Wild sign Kaprizov to eight-year, $136M record extension

The Minnesota Wild on Thursday announced they have signed left wing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight year contract worth 136 million, a record for both total value and average annual salary in National Hockey League history. The deal carries a 17 million average annual value and will begin with the 2026-27 season, locking the 28 year old to Minnesota through 2033-34.

The extension ends weeks of intense negotiation that at one point saw Kaprizov reportedly decline an earlier eight year offer valued at about 128 million. Team officials increased their proposal and ultimately reached terms that make Kaprizov the highest paid player in the league on an annual basis and set a new benchmark for contract totals. The agreement removes Kaprizov from the group of pending free agents expected to draw major interest next summer.

Kaprizov, a fifth round draft pick who made his NHL debut in 2021, has emerged as the Wild's offensive centerpiece. In five NHL seasons he has 185 goals and 201 assists for 386 regular season points in 319 games. Last season he played 41 games, scoring 25 goals with 31 assists for 56 points, and returned from injury to record five goals and four assists in six playoff...