Kaprizov breaks off negotiations, wants to be the highest paid winger in the NHL

Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov has reportedly broken off contract negotiations with Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin and will resume when he returns from his native Russia later this offseason.

Wild insider Michael Russo reported this past weekend that the two sides were in negotiations for a contract extension beginning in 2026-27, but that they are going to take "a little bit of a breather" until Kaprizov is back in town.

"What I checked on the last couple days, they are not close; they're going to take a little bit of a breather here; when Kaprizov gets back into town I think that then Guerin will meet with him."

"I think he's definitely going to surpass Draisaitl", "it's not going to be for $14m; he will be the highest paid winger in the NHL, the question is how much and how long."

This is obviously concerning news if you're a fan of the Wild.

Kaprizov had an absolutely stellar season last year and was even in contention for the Hart Trophy as league MVP until having to undergo mid-season surgery. He's coming off a five year contract that pays him $9 million per season.