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NHL Notebook: Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to record-setting contract extension
Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov
Photo credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Zach Laing
Sep 30, 2025, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 30, 2025, 14:53 EDT
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The bar has been raised.
The stalemate between the Minnesota Wild and superstar Kirill Kaprizov came to an end Tuesday morning as they agreed on an eight-year contract worth $136 million. His new deal becomes the richest in NHL history in terms of both total and annual value, with Kaprizov set to earn $17 million per year when it kicks in for the 2026-27.
Kaprizov’s deal, according to PuckPedia, will see him earn a $1-million salary in each season and the rest paid out in front-loaded signing bonuses. Years one through four will see the bonus total $18.1 million, year five $16 million, year six $14.2 million, and the final two years $12.7 million, with a full no-movement clause in each season.
His new deal is worth $1 million more annually than what he reportedly turned down earlier in September. So while Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl will be the highest-paid player in the league this season with his $14.5 million deal, it will be quickly surpassed when Kaprizov’s deal kicks in.
Since Kaprizov entered the league during the shortened 2021 season, he’s become one of the preeminent offensive talents, racking up 185 goals and 386 points in 319 games over the last five years. Only six players have as many goals and assists over that time: Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, and Mikko Rantanen.
The deal, of course, has far-reaching implications as it resets the market with other stars like McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, and Jason Robertson will all need new contracts before the 2026-27 season.

Other news and notes…

  • It’s not all good news in Minnesota, however, as forward Mats Zuccarello will miss at least two months with a lower-body injury. Zuccarello, 38, has missed all of training camp with the injury, with the timeline for a return set to have him back on the ice in late November. He drew in for 69 games last year with the Wild, scoring 19 goals and 54 points, adding a goal and three points in six playoff games.
  • More news on the injury front, as the Vancouver Canucks will be without forward Nils Hoglander for an extended period. The team announced he will miss eight to ten weeks after undergoing lower-body surgery. Hoglander left a game last Wednesday against the Calgary Flames after taking two hits early in the second period. He appeared in 72 games last year for the Canucks, scoring eight goals and 25 points.
  • Out east, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a four-year contract extension Monday. The deal carries a $3.75 million AAV, according to PuckPedia, with $11.135 million of the total $15 million deal being paid out in signing bonuses over the course of the deal. All four years carry a modified no-movement clause, with a 16-team no-trade list in year one, 10-team lists in years two and three, and a five-team no-trade list in year four.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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