2020-21 Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov will stay with the Minnesota Wild for the foreseeable future. Kaprizov, who was a restricted free agent, agreed to a $45 million extension with the franchise that will see him wear the Wild jersey through at least 2025-26 NHL season.
Kaprizov is now Minnesota’s highest-paid player with a $9 million annual salary even though he is only entering his second NHL season. He jumps past Wild captain Jared Spurgeon, who is earning $7.5 million per season.
“I’m so happy,” Kaprizov said after the extension became official. “It’s good for me, it’s good for the team. Now I just want to play hockey and to [be with] my teammates and just play hockey.”
The Wild and Kaprizov were reportedly engaged in tough negotiations for the better part of the summer, and it seemed at various points that the agreement between the two sides couldn’t be made. Minnesota eventually caved and paid a steep price, believing the 24-year-old star has the traits to justify it on ice.
“This is a great day for our organization and for Kirill personally, for us as a team to have him back in the mix before training camp starts,” general manager Bill Guerin said in a statement.
Kaprizov, who previously played for KHL side CSKA Moscow, had significant leverage in the negotiations thanks to his outstanding rookie campaign in 2020-21. He played 55 games during the regular season and contributed with 27 goals and 24 points. His 51 points not only led all the rookies in NHL but were also the most by any Minnesota player.
At the end of the season, Kaprizov was recognized as NHL rookie of the year and awarded Calder Trophy. He received the honor almost unanimously, receiving all but one first-place vote.
