Kirill Kaprizov (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
The future of Kirill Kaprizov has suddenly become one of the NHL’s most talked-about storylines. Over the past week, whispers about his contract negotiations have grown louder, fueling speculation about where things stand between the star winger and the Minnesota Wild. What began as routine talks has quickly turned into a topic dominating insider podcasts, social media chatter, and front-office conversations around the league.
Amid the noise, one thing is certain: Kaprizov’s name carries weight, and every rumor attached to it sparks immediate reaction. From questions about rejected offers to suggestions of outside pressure, the spotlight on Minnesota’s franchise cornerstone has never been brighter. Where it leads, though, remains to be seen.
Contract Talks Ongoing
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Kaprizov recently rejected a massive contract offer from the Wild — an eight-year deal worth $16 million annually. That report was ultimately shot down by GM Bill Guerin, who stated that no contract offer was rejected by Kaprizov in any official capacity.
The extension would have made him the richest player in the league right now, but sources say the Russian star has his sights set even higher.
“He’s pushing for close to 20 percent of the salary cap, so there’s no reason to rush right now,” a source close to the situation told RG. “He’ll look for $18 or even $19 million on an eight-year deal.”
It’s important to note that sources believe the salary cap could almost double over the next 9 years (going from $95M to possibly $170M), making the value of long-term deals much less appealing to top players looking to maximize earnings.
The NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement sets a cap at 20 percent of the team salary cap for individual players, meaning Kaprizov could aim to maximize his value once the next round of league-wide contracts reset the market.
Speaking of market reset: enter Connor McDavid.
While Kaprizov’s future is up in the air, both sides appear content to wait before making any final decisions. The biggest reason? According to another source close to the situation: Connor McDavid’s next contract.
There’s a belief that there is no rush in Kaprizov’s camp to come to a deal until he sees how the market is reset by the signing of the league’s best player.
“He’s going to wait until McDavid signs his deal and then make his decision,” the source continued. “The Wild’s owner put himself in a tough spot by saying he’d make Kaprizov the highest-paid player. Now his hands are tied.”
With McDavid due for what many expect to be a record-breaking extension in Edmonton, Kaprizov’s camp is in no rush to commit until they see where the new bar is set.
Rumors of Trade Lists And Smoke Signals
The uncertainty around negotiations has fueled speculation about Kaprizov’s future. On his 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman hinted that outside forces may be stirring the pot.
“There’s somebody out there who is setting up smoke signals, saying we can do better,” Friedman said.
Those whispers gained traction when Russian journalist Alexei Shevchenko suggested that Minnesota had asked Kaprizov to provide a list of teams he would accept a trade to. That report quickly circulated online, raising alarms about whether the Wild were preparing for life without their franchise player.
Word from those close to the organization, however, strongly denied the rumor.
“The Wild have not and will not be asking Kaprizov for a trade list,” a source close to the Wild told RG.
There’s a lot of noise coming out of the negotiations between both sides, given how high a profile it is.
No Rush, But a High-Stakes Future
For now, all eyes remain on Minnesota. The Wild are adamant that no trade conversations are taking place, and that their sole focus is keeping Kaprizov in green and red for the long term. Yet, the information leaking from across the league — from rejecting $16 million annually to aiming for 20 percent of the cap — suggests this will not be a simple negotiation.
What happens next could define not only the future of the Wild but also the financial landscape of the NHL. If Kaprizov lands the kind of deal his camp is targeting, he won’t just become the league’s top-paid player — he’ll reset expectations for stars across the sport.
Until then, the speculation will continue to swirl, but one fact remains certain: Kirill Kaprizov’s next contract will be one of the most consequential in hockey history.