Kirill Kaprizov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $9 million.
The 24-year-old forward, who won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL, was a restricted free agent. He led the Wild in goals (27), points (51), points per game (0.93) and overtime goals (two), and scored three game-winning goals, in 55 games last season.
“Pretty slow right now, but nothing I’m really worried about,” Wild general manager Bill Guerin said Sept. 14 of the contract negotiations. “There are a lot of other teams with good players not signed yet. So, I’m not sitting here worrying about it every day.
“… I respect Kirill and I don’t think he’s doing anything abnormal right now. It’s just a matter of, ‘When do we get the deal done?'”
Kaprizov led rookies in goals, points, power-play goals (eight) and shots on goal (157). He finished second in even-strength points (38) and power-play points (13), and was tied for third in plus/minus rating (plus-10).
Kaprizov, who averaged 18:18 of ice time per game and had a shooting percentage of 17.2 percent, scored the most goals, assists and points by a rookie in Wild history.
He helped Minnesota (35-16-5) finish third in the Honda West Division and reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He scored three points (two goals, one assist) in a seven-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup First Round.
“I’ve enjoyed everything about the game,” Kaprizov said after winning the Calder Trophy in June. “I enjoyed the atmosphere in the locker room. I enjoyed playing on the ice with my teammates. I enjoyed the playoff atmosphere and the different rinks we played in. The organization was amazing. I really enjoyed everything from my play on ice to the team game. Everything this season kind of came together and it was truly special.”
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