Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin has expressed his desire to avoid “widespread panic” among the team’s fans following Kirill Kaprizov’s rejection of a contract extension that would have set a new NHL record. Kaprizov, a prominent figure on the team, is in the final year of his current contract, valued at $45 million over five seasons, and which includes a no-trade clause. The player has the possibility of becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. According to reports, the Wild offered Kaprizov an eight-year, $128 million contract extension, a proposal that was rejected by the player and his agent in a recent meeting. Had it materialized, the average annual value of $16 million would have exceeded by $2 million the contract of Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, who currently holds the contract with the highest AAV in the NHL. In addition, the total value of the agreement would have exceeded the 13-year, $124 million contract signed by Alex Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals in 2008, considered the most lucrative in league history.
Kaprizov has been a key piece in Minnesota’s offense since his arrival in the NHL in 2020. In 319 games played with the Wild, he has accumulated 386 points and has surpassed the 40-goal mark in three of his five seasons. Last season, marked by injuries, he scored 25 goals in 41 games. The news of Kaprizov’s rejection of the extension generated uncertainty in the hockey world, especially among Wild fans, who question the player’s future with the team. Guerin emphasized his desire to avoid panic and reaffirmed the team’s appreciation for Kaprizov. He stated that conversations will continue and expressed his confidence in the situation.My function as general manager is to protect our players. I know two things: that information did not come from us and neither from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from. Kirill’s agent and I have a very good relationship. We are working on it. We are not going to allow things like this to get in the way.
Bill Guerin
