Minnesota secures their franchise cornerstone through 2034 with massive eight-year deal
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have made it official: Kirill Kaprizov isn't going anywhere. The organization announced a seismic eight-year contract extension worth $136 million ($17 million AAV) that will keep their Russian superstar in the State of Hockey through the 2033-34 season.
This isn't just a contract extension. It's a statement.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Since bursting onto the NHL scene in 2020, the 28-year-old left winger has been nothing short of spectacular. Through 319 games in a Wild sweater, Kaprizov has racked up 386 points (185 goals, 201 assists) while maintaining a plus-71 rating and averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
But stats only tell part of the story.
Kaprizov isn't just good. He's historically elite. His 1.21 points-per-game average leads all Wild players in franchise history. His 10 overtime goals? A franchise record. His 14-game point streak back in 2022? You guessed it, another record.
Want to understand just how special Kaprizov has been? Consider this: through his first 300 NHL games, only Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin have recorded more points among active players. That's generational company.
And when it comes to pure goal-scoring through 300 games, only Ovechkin and Auston Matthews have found the back of the net more frequently than Kaprizov's 174 tallies. Since his debut in 2020, only Matthews and Leon Draisaitl boast a higher goals-per-game average.
Breaking His Own Records
The 2024-25 season showcased exactly why Minnesota was willing to commit $136 million to their franchise player. Kaprizov posted 56 points in just 41 regular-season games before exploding for a team-leading nine points in six playoff contests.
Perhaps most impressively, he shattered the Wild's single-season record for fastest to 50 points, reaching the milestone in just 34 games, a full week before Christmas.
The Resume
Kaprizov's trophy case speaks volumes:
- 2021 Calder Memorial Trophy winner (first in franchise history)
- Three-time All-Star (2022-24)
- Only player in Wild history with multiple 40-goal seasons (three consecutive, 2021-24)
- Franchise single-season records in points (108), goals (47), power-play goals (19), and power-play points (41)
Before conquering the NHL, Kaprizov dominated the KHL for six seasons, appeared in five consecutive All-Star games, and captured Olympic gold with OAR in 2018, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of the gold medal game against Germany.
The Fifth-Round Steal
It's almost unfathomable that a player of Kaprizov's caliber was selected 135th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Minnesota's fifth-round gamble has transformed into one of the greatest draft steals of the modern era.
What It Means
For Wild fans, this extension represents everything. In a market that's historically struggled to attract and retain elite talent, locking down Kaprizov through his prime years signals that Minnesota is serious about contending for a Stanley Cup.
At $17 million per season, Kaprizov becomes one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, and based on his production, he's earned every penny.
The Wild aren't just paying for what Kaprizov has done. They're betting on what he'll continue to do: dominate games, break records, and lead Minnesota to their first Stanley Cup championship.
With Kaprizov secured long-term, the window is wide open. Now it's time to bring a Cup to the State of Hockey.
The Wild host the Winnipeg Jets tonight at 7 p.m. CT as they look to continue their playoff push.
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