Kirill Kaprizov Breaks NHL Record with New Contract

Kiril Kaprizov has made a significant impact on the NHL market.

The Minnesota Wild have signed the talented winger to a massive eight-year contract reportedly worth $136 million, setting a new record. This deal surpasses the previous record of $124 million held by Alex Ovechkin from a 13-year contract signed in 2008.

Kaprizov’s average annual value (AAV) of $17 million also marks a new high, outdoing Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV.

Since winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, Kaprizov has emerged as the Wild’s leading scorer, tallying 27 goals and 24 assists in just 55 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. He received 99 out of 100 votes to be named the best rookie, becoming the first player from the Wild to earn such an honor.

Subsequent to that, in September, he negotiated a $45 million deal, achieving a career peak with 47 goals and 61 assists.

However, the following summer saw a complex situation as Kaprizov dealt with difficulties returning from Russia. Political tensions between the two nations caused significant hurdles in securing his return to the U.S., further complicated by visa issues and pandemic-related delays.

Despite facing injuries, he produced 40 goals and 35 assists in the 2022-23 season, and 46 goals and 50 assists in the 2023-24 season. His last season was particularly challenging due to a non-specific injury that required surgery, sidelining him for 40 games. Still, he managed to return just in time for the playoffs, contributing 25 goals and 31 assists.

Looking ahead, this marks Kaprizov’s fifth season in the NHL, and he’ll continue to play at a high level well into his late twenties.

As a side note, Conor McDavid, another superstar of the league, is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.