Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin didn’t expect the news he heard on Wednesday, which caught everybody by surprise because of its shocking nature.
On Wednesday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that, according to sources, Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov had turned down an eight-year, $128 million deal. If true, that contract would have carried a record $16 million average annual value (AAV).
Advertisement
“Sources say [Minnesota Wild] superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s camp turned down an extension offer believed to be 8 years, $128 million in a meeting on Tuesday in Minnesota,” Seravalli posted on X.
The contract’s figures would have surpassed both Alex Ovechkin’s 2008 contract with the Washington Capitals in total dollars ($124 million) and Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV extension with the Edmonton Oilers for the highest cap hit.
Speaking on the “10,000 Takes” podcast, Guerin was quick to refute the claim made by Seravalli, questioning his sources for feeding him wrong information.
Advertisement
“We can cut to the chase. Look, I don’t know where this stuff comes from,” Guerin said. “I know two things: That info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from.”
Guerin emphasized that negotiations remain on track, implying there’s no truth to Kaprizov’s reported rejection of Minnesota’s offer.
“His agent and I have a very good relationship,” Guerin said. “We’re not gonna let things like this get in the way. I still think we’re in a really positive place with Kirill, and like I said, part of my role is to protect him.
Advertisement
“So we’re gonna let this go. We just move on.”
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) looks on from the bench.Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images
The report raises immediate questions about Kaprizov’s long-term future in Minnesota. The 28-year-old winger is entering the final season of his five-year, $45 million contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next July.
With a full no-move clause, the Wild would risk losing him for nothing if an extension is not signed, as Kaprizov will have the right to veto any trade.
Minnesota owner Craig Leipold, like Guerin, expressed optimism just last week about both sides reaching an agreement for a contract extension.
Advertisement
“I just feel that 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 love of the city, I think we’ll be moving forward in a good direction.”
The uncertainty comes as Kaprizov continues to establish himself as one of the NHL’s elite scorers. Despite missing 41 games last season after surgery, Kaprizov managed to score 56 points.
The Russian winger, who spent five years in the KHL after getting drafted and before jumping to the NHL, set a franchise record with 108 points in 2021-22 and has three 40-goal seasons.
Advertisement
Related: Elliotte Friedman Shares Potential Reason Behind Kirill Kaprizov’s $128 Million Rejection
Related: Frank Seravalli Predicts ‘Massive’ Kirill Kaprizov News on His Wild Future
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.