Report: Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov rejects offer to become highest paid player in NHL history

There could be trouble brewing in Minnesota as the Wild try to lock up star winger Kirill Kaprizov on a long-term contract.

Here’s what we know.

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Kirill Kaprizov

Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year contract extension worth $128 million on Tuesday, according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli.

The contract would have made Kirill the Thrill the highest paid player in NHL history in both average annual value ($16 million) and total earnings.

It would have been a significant raise for the 28-year-old Kaprizov, who is entering the final year of a five-year contract that carries a $9 million AAV. He is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Kaprizov has proven to be one of the best pure goal scorers over his five-year NHL career. He won the Calder Trophy his rookie year, 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.

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

Minnesota Wild

The Kaprizov situation is a tough blow for the Wild, who have finally finished the cap penalties they faced from buying out the contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

Minnesota is finally hoping to take a step forward this year and win their first playoff series since the 2014-15 season.

The Wild are currently +3500 to win the Stanley Cup, +1800 to win the Western Conference and +800 to win the Central Division.