Kirill Kaprizov’s $136M deal draws heavy criticism after Wild’s playoff exit
The Minnesota Wild entered Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche with a chance to push their second-round series deeper. Instead, they left Ball Arena facing major questions about their future, their roster structure, and the pressure now attached to Kirill Kaprizov’s NHL -record contract extension. Minnesota blew a 3-0 lead before losing 4-3 in overtime on Brett Kulak’s series-winning goal Wednesday night.
The turning point came moments earlier in overtime when Kaprizov passed on a 2-on-1 opportunity instead of shooting. The sequence turned the other way, ending with Colorado celebrating a Western Conference Final berth. NHL analyst Shayna Goldman highlighted the play on X, writing, “Kaprizov passing here instead of shooting sets the series-clinching sequence in motion, really tough one for the Wild after coming out so strong tonight.
” The criticism intensified because Kaprizov’s new eight-year, $136 million extension will begin next season with a staggering $17 million annual cap hit. No other NHL player is going to get paid that much, not even $15 million. MORE: Wild’s $68M D-man Brock Faber doesn’t hold back after playoff exit Contract value now becomes part of the conversation On the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, former NHL forward Matt Murley questioned both the size of the contract and what it means inside a locker room, trying to compete for a Stanley Cup .
“During the season, Kaprizov goes and signs for 17 million dollars,” Murley said. “Nobody needs to be making 17 million dollars. And it just doesn’t feel right in a team if some guys are making $750K, and I got this guy making 17 million, and then it’s fraudulent for 17 million dollars, even though we’ve never seen someone make that much.
” Murley’s comments were harsh, especially after Kaprizov finished Game 5 without a shot on goal. “One shot in Game 4, zero shots in Game 5. Puck on his stick to win the game in overtime, passes it off.