Minnesota Wild fans, get ready to celebrate! It seems like a monumental contract extension for star forward Kirill Kaprizov might be closer than we think. According to Wild owner Craig Leipold, negotiations are progressing positively, suggesting a deal could be imminent. The team is eager to lock down Kaprizov for the long term, potentially making him the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Leipold expressed optimism about Kaprizov's return to Minnesota, believing that experiencing the city's enthusiasm and support will encourage him to sign. “I kind of think we're there,” Leipold told The Athletic. “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.”
Kaprizov, currently 28, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season. His current five-year, $45 million contract, signed in 2021, is nearing its end. The Wild have made it clear that re-signing Kaprizov is their top priority, and they're prepared to offer a lucrative deal to keep him in Minnesota.
Teammate Matt Boldy also weighed in, stating, “It’s none of my business,” Boldy said Tuesday at the NHL media tour. “As much as I want him on our team and would do anything to have him stay here and sign for eight more years, it’s not up to me. I have no say in it. So for me to sit there and worry about it, I feel like it’s a little bit of a waste of time.”
Kaprizov's impact on the Wild has been undeniable. Despite missing a significant portion of last season due to injury, he still finished second in goals (25) and third in points (56) in just 41 games. He led the team with a plus-19 rating. His playoff performance further solidified his value, with nine points in six games.
The Wild selected Kaprizov in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, and he has consistently led the team in points. He won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2020-21. His impressive stats since entering the NHL include 386 points and 185 goals in 319 games.
“This will be a huge deal -- likely the biggest in the NHL ever,” Leipold said. “There's no better human being or better hockey player or better person than Kirill. I think it will be a good”
If the Wild offer a maximum-term contract in the $16 million range, it could become the richest contract in NHL history. This would be a testament to Kaprizov's exceptional talent and his importance to the team's future.