NHL Odds: Minnesota Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to record-setting $136 million contract

The Minnesota Wild have agreed to a record-setting $136 million contract with star winger Kirill Kaprizov one week before puck drop for the 2025-26 NHL season.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Kirill Kaprizov

Kaprizov, who was set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, is signing an eight-year contract extension with a $17 million AAV.

Although it doesn’t kick in until next season, the deal makes Kaprizov the highest paid player in NHL history, surpassing the $14 million cap hit Leon Draisaitl will have with the Oilers starting this year.

The Wild were clearly motivated to sign Kaprizov long-term after reports surfaced saying the Russian sniper turned down an eight-year, $126 million extension. It’s a big raise for the 28-year-old, who holds a $9 million cap hit this season.

Kaprizov has proven to be one of the best pure goal scorers over his five-year NHL career. He won the Calder Trophy in 2020-21, he has three 40-goals seasons under his belt and he’s averaged over a point per game in each of the last four seasons.

Kaprizov was limited to 41 games last year due to injuries, but produced when he was healthy. He racked up 25 goals and 56 points in 2024-25 and matched his career-best shooting percentage of 17.2.

Taken in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL entry draft, Kaprizov holds Minnesota’s single-season franchise record for points (108) and goals (47), both set in the 2021-22 season.

For his NHL career, Kirill the Thrill has produced 386 points (185G, 201A) in 319 regular season games. He has 21 points (15G, 6A) in 25 playoff games.

Minnesota Wild

The deal for Kaprizov comes as Minnesota looks to take a step forward and win a playoff series for the first time since 2014-15.

The Wild are coming off a 2024-25 campaign that saw them put up 94 points to finish fourth in the competitive Central Division. They went on to lose to Vegas in six games in the first round of the playoffs.

Minnesota enters the year +775 to win the Central Division, +1800 to win the Western Conference and +3500 to win the Stanley Cup.