Insider suggests Wild will make Kirill Kaprizov the NHL's highest-paid player

Yahoo

11-06-2025

Insider suggests Wild will make Kirill Kaprizov the NHL's highest-paid player originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
There is no offseason storyling bigger for the Wild this year than star forward Kirill Kaprizov's looming contract extension. The Athletic's Michael Russo joined Paul Allen on his nine-to-noon radio show on Tuesday, and he suggested Kaprizov could become the highest-paid player in the league.
"It would make me a little nervous, but I also understand that is the price of doing business right now for him," Russo said. "They are going to make him the highest-paid player in the league."
Kaprizov just turned 28, and 2025-26 is the last season of his current five-year, $45 million deal. Russo suggested a potential eight-year, $120 million contract extension.
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews was the highest-paid player in the NHL in 2024-25, making $13.25 million annually. Russo's suggested deal for Kaprizov would pay him $15 million annually.
"This organization has never had a superstar, and you've got to pay him to keep him," Russo continued. "Because there are a lot of teams out there, with the cap going up, that have a lot of cap space, that can sign him in a year."
Kaprizov was banged up last season, playing in only 41 games, but he still finished with 56 points. His best career season came in 2021-22, when he scored 108 points with 47 goals and 61 assists.
He has proven himself as one of the best players in the league, and it's a no-brainer for Minnesota to lock him down long-term.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.