September 5, 2025 | 11:15am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

WILD PREPARED TO PAY KAPRIZOV BIG BUCKS

Kirill Kaprizov, forward

The Minnesota Wild and superstar Kirill Kaprizov have not yet gotten to the final stages of contract negotiations, but that is on the horizon and Wild owner Craig Leipold expects to dish out significant dollars to get a deal done.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week to formally introduce the Grand Casino Arena, formerly named Xcel Energry Center, Leipold appeared excited about the potential of having Kaprizov locked up to a new long-term deal, presumably eight years.

“This will be a huge deal – likely the biggest in the NHL ever,” Leipold said. “There’s no better human being or better hockey player or better person than Kirill. I think it will be a good conversation that we’ll have with him. I’m very anxious and looking forward to that conversation. I think we’ll move quickly after that.”

Kaprizov will likely become the highest paid player in the NHL once his deal is set – until Connor McDavid’s next contract, anyway – and as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on Tuesday, his next contract is expected to exceed $120 million, giving him an AAV over $15 million.

“I just feel like we’re not that far off,” Leipold said. “I kind of think we’re there. I like to believe when Kirill comes over and gets a sense again for the excitement and the love of the city, I think we’ll be moving forward in a good direction.”

Kaprizov, 28, is in the final year of a five-year, $45 million contract. In 41 games with the Wild last season, Kaprizov registered 25 goals and 31 assists for 56 points.

Prior to last season, he scored 40 or more goals in three straight seasons.