Kirill Kaprizov Rejects Record $128M Minnesota Wild Contract
Star forward turns down historic NHL deal that would have made him league’s highest-paid player
St. Paul, September 10 EST: The puck never even hit the ice, but Minnesota just lost a faceoff it had no business losing. Word broke Tuesday night that Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild’s lightning rod, their magician, their one-man fireworks show, looked at an eight-year, 128 million dollar offer and simply said: no thanks.
That wasn’t just a contract. That was the kind of deal that would have crowned him the highest-paid player in NHL history, a title that even Connor McDavid, the sport’s golden child, cannot claim. Sixteen million a year, locked up for nearly a decade. And Kaprizov, 28 years old and in the middle of his prime, decided to skate the other way.
The Wild Tried To Make History
Let’s not kid ourselves. The Wild threw everything at this. They came to Kaprizov with a blank check and said: “Write your name on it.” This was not a lowball, was not a nickel-and-dime situation. Minnesota went all in, ready to make their star the richest man on skates.
But this is Kaprizov we are talking about. Since he landed in the Twin Cities in 2020, he has not just been a scorer, he has been the reason every ticket sells, the reason every kid in St. Paul tapes a number 97 to their back. And yet, for all his brilliance, there has always been that air of independence around him. This rejection is pure Kaprizov. A bet on himself, a message to management, maybe even a subtle nod to greener ice elsewhere.
The Bet Behind The “No”
Turning down 128 million dollars is not just a flex. It is a signal that Kaprizov sees what is coming. The NHL salary cap is climbing, and fast. He knows in a year or two, sixteen million will not look like the ceiling anymore, it will look like the floor for megastars. By waiting, he keeps the leverage, keeps the spotlight, and keeps Minnesota guessing.
And that is the sting for the Wild. They can sell the jerseys, build the billboards, and line up the promotional videos, but until Kaprizov’s pen hits paper, this franchise lives on borrowed time.
Fans Left In The Crossfire
Minnesota fans are caught in that awful space between awe and anxiety. They adore Kaprizov. How could they not? The man dangles defenders like puppets and scores goals that feel more like art than athletics. He is the kind of player you build statues for.
But now the doubt creeps in. The Wild still lug around those Parise and Suter buyouts like ankle weights, and the supporting cast has not been enough to take the next step in the playoffs. If Kaprizov does not believe the front office can build a Cup contender, maybe money is not the point. Maybe he is already eyeing the bright lights of another market, a shot at history with someone else’s sweater on his back.
A Dangerous Road Ahead
For the Wild front office, this is the nightmare scenario. They tried to hand their star a throne, and he left it empty. They have two years before free agency kicks open the door, and every game between now and then will feel like a countdown.
And if you are a rival GM, you are salivating. You are circling 2026 in red ink, waiting for your chance to whisper in Kaprizov’s ear about Stanley Cups, superteams, and a city that will worship him even more than Minnesota already does.
The Bottom Line
Kaprizov just turned down history. He turned down generational wealth, security, and the chance to be the highest-paid player the NHL has ever seen. That is not just gutsy, it is downright seismic.
The Wild still have him, for now. He will keep dazzling, keep filling the Xcel Energy Center with noise, keep giving fans reasons to believe. But somewhere in the back of every Minnesota heart, a cold thought is settling in.
If 128 million dollars was not enough, what is?
And worse, what if nothing is?
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A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.
