Nine more years: Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to richest contract in NHL history

The Wild have never had a player like Kirill Kaprizov, and they went to unprecedented lengths to keep their superstar … potentially for the rest of his career.

Kaprizov signed a record-setting, eight-year, $136 million extension that will kick in after the coming season, finally ending a back-and-forth negotiation with a unique payout.

Not only is this the richest contract in NHL history, but Kaprizov will receive most of the money in annual signing bonuses – including a whopping $18.1 million through the first half of the deal; his yearly salary is $1 million, and the contract also includes a no-movement clause.

“I’m so happy to stay nine more years here,” Kaprizov said Tuesday. “It’s my second home. I’m happy to play here.”

In scope and significance, this pact between Kaprizov and the Wild is groundbreaking.

It exceeds the matching $98 million deals the Wild handed to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in 2012 before they were bought out in 2021 and tops the 13-year, $124 million contract Washington’s Alex Ovechkin secured in 2008, which had been the most lucrative ever on NHL books.

The $17 million average is the highest in the league since it beats the $14 million for Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, although Draisaitl’s teammate Connor McDavid should change that when he signs his next deal.

“It would’ve been devastating if it didn’t happen,” President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin said. “So, we’re relieved about that.”

An inconspicuous fifth-round draft pick by the Wild in 2015, Kaprizov became the organization’s most prolific prospect as he remained in Russia and thrived as a goal-scoring phenom who captured a KHL championship and gold medal at the 2018 Olympics.

When he arrived in 2021, Kaprizov didn’t disappoint: After a historic NHL debut in which he became the first player to tally three points, including an overtime goal, Kaprizov was the near-unanimous recipient of the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie and signed a five-year, $45 million contract.

He set career highs and Wild records in Year 2 with 47 goals, 61 assists and 108 points and had two more 40-goal seasons including 46 in 2023-24 — before getting derailed by injury last season.

Kaprizov, 28, was the MVP front-runner in the first half until the left winger was sidelined for surgery and returned just before the playoffs where he impressed with five goals in six games against Vegas before the Wild were eliminated in the first round; they haven’t advanced since 2015.

Guerin made it clear Kaprizov’s camp knew the Wild’s plan, which saw the team make subtle changes in free agency instead of spending the windfall that came with having the cost of the Parise and Suter buyouts drop exponentially and the NHL salary cap rising.

The Wild do have flexibility to adjust in-season, an on-the-fly boost that they were unable to pursue when they were up against the cap ceiling. But while Kaprizov was unsigned, they were in limbo.

During talks, Kaprizov reportedly turned down eight years for $128 million.

“I’m sure that didn’t hurt,” Guerin said about increasing the offer. “Hey, look, this was a big decision for Kirill. We talked about it. It was a big commitment from him. It’s a long time, and we’re talking about the rest of his career and that’s not a small decision. I think most people just look at the money and say, ‘Oh, it’s an easy decision.’ It’s not.

“It’s not an easy decision because no matter how much money you make or where you live or anything, if the hockey’s not good, you won’t be happy. And that’s one thing I love about Kirill is that he’s so focused on the hockey part. He just wanted to make sure that he was doing the right thing for himself and his happiness.”

“Maybe my last contract in hockey,” he said, with Guerin mentioning, “Maybe one more. Not eight years, though.”

Although Kaprizov’s family didn’t tell him what to do, he said they want him to be happy and they told him, “‘You love Minnesota. You love [to] play here.’” Kaprizov didn’t worry about the risk of injury and what effect that could have if he remained unsigned.

“These things take time,” Guerin said, “and good things come to those who wait.”

Kaprizov planned to celebrate by playing in the Wild’s preseason game vs. Winnipeg Tuesday night at Grand Casino Arena.

Earlier in the day, he received a few standing ovations at the practice rink.

Marcus Foligno figured team dinners would be on Kaprizov’s tab and joked the eye infection Kaprizov has been dealing with was a result of the negotiation.

“I thought maybe [owner] Craig Leipold had to punch him in the face for another million dollars,” Foligno quipped.

If Kaprizov wasn’t going to sign with the Wild, they could have lost him for him nothing if he left as a free agent next summer — which is what happened with their last superstar Marian Gaborik in 2009 — or they could have tried to trade him to recoup a return.

“Just having him here on any term is great,” Foligno said. “He’s a superstar. He’s a difference maker, and you don’t want those guys to get let go. We’re excited he’s here for eight more years. He came with a big smile today like usual but a little bigger today.”

Signing before the season starts Oct. 9 at St. Louis also gets rid of the distraction that would have lingered had the two sides remained at an impasse.

Kaprizov is staying where he’s the face of the franchise and a beloved fan favorite.

He’s formed a dynamic duo with veteran Mats Zuccarello, their chemistry leading the Wild offense, and Kaprizov has taken on the role of alternate captain, with his leadership becoming more apparent as his English has improved.

Where the Wild will be in nine years after his new contract expires is anybody’s guess, but their future is more optimistic with Kaprizov in their lineup than without.