At the tail end of 2025, the Minnesota Wild signed Kirill Kaprizov to a trailblazing eight-year contract extension.

The $136 million deal is the largest contract in NHL history in both total value and average annual value (AAV). No player before him has ever signed a more lucrative deal in the league’s history. Carrying a $17 million AAV, this surpasses Alex Ovechkin’s $124 million deal, the previous total-value record. Kaprizov’s deal also beat out the previous highest AAV ($14 million) held by Leon Draisaitl.

This contract sent waves through the NHL, as teams rarely pay this much for just one player. The deal is a testament to Kaprizov being seen as a generational cornerstone for the Wild.

​A Franchise Record in Sight

Now, that massive investment is colliding with franchise history.

The stakes are high as Kaprizov not only aims to validate this groundbreaking contract but also races toward breaking historical records for the Wild. Kaprizov is closing in on the Minnesota Wild’s all-time goals record, and this season, the race has accelerated. Each game brings him closer to a milestone that has stood for more than a decade. Kaprizov now finds himself in an urgent situation for both his performance and legacy in Minnesota.

Gáborík’s Mark as the Standard

Currently, Marian Gáborík holds the record for all-time goals on the Wild, standing at 219 total goals. Playing from 2000-09, he was the Wild’s first true offensive superstar, becoming the franchise’s most prolific goal scorer. This was attributed through his speed, shot, and game-breaking ability. His record has now stood untouched for years, until Kaprizov’s arrival.

Kaprizov has already been setting records along the way in Minnesota, not just climbing the all-time goals list. More recently, in December, he set the Wild’s franchise record for power-play goals, making it 70 goals at the time. Earlier this season, he hit 200 career goals faster than any Wild player in history. This underscores how quickly he has risen toward the team’s overall goals record.

Kaprizov’s Rapid Rise

The versatile Russian winger is now within striking distance of Minnesota’s all-time mark. Kaprizov is just nine marks shy of Gáborík’s record of 219 career goals for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov has scored 25 goals in 47 games this season, which averages to about 0.53 goals per game. This rate means that if he continues at his current pace, it will take him a bit more time than 15 games to break the record, making each remaining game crucial as the chase continues.

This looming milestone is why the “clock is ticking” on Kaprizov’s historic climb.

The Risks Behind the Race

There will be obstacles ahead.

Staying healthy is critical as he chases the record. Even the shortest injury could delay what has already been an accelerated climb. The intensity of this season’s condensed NHL schedule (due to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games) means every shift on the ice carries potential risk.

It’s reasonable to assume coaches and trainers will be monitoring his workload to keep consistent opportunities to score. However, there is also a substantial financial risk associated with potential injuries. A long-term injury could significantly impact not just his pursuit of records but also the team’s return on their substantial investment. With each game Kaprizov plays, roughly $207,317 of his average annual value is on the line, making every lost game a significant economic setback for the franchise.

For Kirill Kaprizov, avoiding setbacks could be just as important as finding the back of the net as he races toward Wild history.