Wild GM Bill Guerin speaks candidly about Kirill Kaprizov contract after Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and other stars sign for less

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin discussed Kirill Kaprizov’s new contract and why it’s important to the team. The left winger and team alternate captain signed an eight-year, $136 million contract starting with the 2026-27 season and lasting through 2033-34.

This happened as other NHL stars signed lower-cost contracts. Connor McDavid agreed to a two-year, $25 million extension with Edmonton, while Jack Eichel signed an eight-year, $108 million contract with Vegas. Guerin explained that even though their salaries are lower, Kaprizov’s value to Minnesota is higher.

“Everyone has a price that they want to play at in their market, and Kirill is worth that to us,” Guerin said Wednesday via The Athletic. “He’s so important to us.”

He added that letting Kaprizov go could have been worse than paying him $17 million per season.

“And we couldn’t risk letting him go,” Guerin said. “It’s good for other teams, but it’s still good for us to have him for nine years. And yes, Jack is at $13.5 million, and that’s great. But Kirill is so important to us.

“If we let him go or even flirt with him, who knows? The worst case scenario is definitely him leaving. It’s worse than paying him $17 million.”

Guerin has spoken about the team before, emphasizing that every player matters, but Kaprizov is the most important to the team’s future.

“This one is important because Kirill is our franchise player and keeping him was extremely important,” Guerin said on September 30 via NHL.com. “It’s definitely the biggest event in franchise history.”

The Wild’s decision to keep Kaprizov long-term shows they want to build around him and secure the team’s future.

Elliotte Friedman on Cale Makar extension following new Kirill Kaprizov deal

After Kirill Kaprizov’s big contract, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche could reset the D-man market. He has two years remaining on his six-year, $54 million contract and could sign an extension in July 2026.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Avalanche could give him a blank check due to his importance.

“Now that Kaprizov and McDavid are done, all eyes are on Cale Maker as the next potential nuclear blast,” Friedman wrote Tuesday via Sportsnet. “Colorado is preparing for it and could well give him a blank check.”

Makar has been a key player on the team, scoring a career-high 30 goals last season with a plus-minus rating of 28.