Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov has reportedly rejected a landmark eight-year, $128 million contract extension. The proposed deal would have been the largest in NHL history, carrying an average annual value of $16 million.
Kaprizov, who became eligible to sign an extension on July 1, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The offer’s rejection contrasts with recent optimism from Wild owner Craig Leipold, who said last week he was confident an agreement would be reached soon and predicted it would likely be the richest deal in league history.
Since his NHL debut in the 2020-21 season, Kaprizov has been the Wild’s most dynamic player. The winger won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and has since amassed 386 points in 319 games. He was a front-runner for the league’s MVP award during a recent campaign before an injury sidelined him, though he still finished third in team scoring despite playing in only 41 games.
A new contract for Kaprizov is expected to reset the league’s salary standards. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl currently holds the NHL’s highest AAV at $14 million, a benchmark that could soon be surpassed as stars like Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel also become eligible for new contracts by 2026.
Drafted by Minnesota in the fifth round in 2015, Kaprizov played five seasons in the KHL before joining the Wild. He is currently the team’s highest-paid player with a $9 million salary cap hit on a contract that includes a no-movement clause.
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