Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov has turned down a record-setting contract extension offer, according to an NHL insider.
The offer was believed to be for eight years at $128 million, Frank Seravalli reported, and would have made him the leader in cap hit ($16 million), passing the $14 million that Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl will receive starting this season.
The total amount would also pass the 13-year, $124 million contract that Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin signed in 2008.
Kaprizov, 28, who currently has a $9 million cap hit, can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. His average of 1.21 points per game ranks first in franchise history and he has had three seasons of 40 goals or more.
NHL’s highest-paid players
The NHL has had a new highest-paid player for three seasons in a row, with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million) passing Edmonton’s Connor McDavid ($12.5 million) in 2023-24 and Toronto’s Auston Matthews averaging $13.25 million last season. Draisaitl passed Matthews this season.
That should continue with the salary cap going up and the caliber of players in next summer’s UFA class.
That group, in addition to Kaprizov, includes McDavid and Vegas’ Jack Eichel.