Wild owner: Kaprizov contract likely to be biggest in NHL history

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is prepared to back up the Brink's truck to re-sign star forward Kirill Kaprizov.

"This will be a huge deal - likely the biggest in the NHL ever," Leipold told The Athletic's Joe Smith. "There's no better human being or better hockey player or better person than Kirill. I think it will be a good conversation that we'll have with him. I'm very anxious and looking forward to that conversation. I think we'll move quickly after that."

Kaprizov is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the league's best wingers since inking a five-year contract with a $9-million cap hit following his rookie season.

Kaprizov ranks fourth in goals per game since the 2022-23 campaign and was a Hart Trophy candidate early last season before being sidelined with a lower-body injury. He finished the year with 25 goals and 56 points in 41 games, a 50-goal, 112-point pace over 82 contests. Kaprizov added five goals and nine points in six playoff games as the Wild lost in the first round to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Leipold said in October, "Nobody will offer more money than us, or longer."

The largest contract in NHL history was signed by Alex Ovechkin in 2008. The Washington Capitals superstar inked a 13-year pact worth $124 million. The highest cap hit is owned by Leon Draisaitl at $14 million. He signed an eight-year, $112-million extension with the Edmonton Oilers in September 2024.

Leipold is confident the deal with Kaprizov will get done soon.

"I just feel like we're not that far off," Leipold said. "I kind of think we're there. I like to believe when Kirill comes over (from Russia) and gets a sense again for the excitement and the love of the city, I think we'll be moving forward in a good direction."

Kaprizov was drafted 135th overall by the Wild in 2015, but he didn't join the NHL until 2020 after a prolific career in the KHL. He's racked up 185 goals and 386 points in 319 games over six seasons. Kaprizov already ranks fourth in franchise goals and fifth in scoring.