Wild Have Massive Advantage to Re-Sign Kirill Kaprizov, Thanks To New CBA

The Minnesota Wild are in the driver's seat when it comes to re-signing Kirill Kaprizov. While one of the best hockey players on the planet can typically decide when and where to sign, the Wild have a very unique advantage thanks to the freshly agreed upon CBA between the NHL and the NHLPA.

As part of the new CBA, the maximum length of a player's contract has been cut by one year. An unrestricted free agent signing with a new team can sign for a maximum of six years, while a pending free agent signing an extension with his current team, can sign for a maximum of seven. Pretty clear.

This new rule is going to start for the 2026-27 season, which officially would start July 1, 2026, right when Kaprizov would hit free agency. So, as it stands, Kaprizov can either re-sign with the Wild for a maximum of eight years, because the new CBA has not kicked in yet, or if he wants to sign with a new team, he would have to wait until next summer and the maximum term he would get is just six years, giving the Wild a unique advantage in potential contract negotiations.

Of course, this could be worked around. Theoretically, the Wild, Kaprizov, and his potential new team could work out a sign-and-trade around this time next year and get the full eight-year contract because it would be just days away from the new CBA being put in place. Or, maybe Kaprizov doesn't even want a maximum-term deal and would rather go the Auston Matthews route and sign for medium-length contracts to maximize future earnings with the salary cap expected to substantially rise over the next several years. These factors are totally possible, but also, hockey players love security.

Kaprizov will be eligible to sign a contract extension with the Wild starting this Tuesday.

• Signing Aaron Ekblad could spur David Jiricek's development. [Hockey Wilderness]
• An overview of the Wild's 2025 NHL Draft class. They didn't go for a whole lot of skill outside a couple mid-round selections. [NHL.com]

Off the trail...

• One of many articles grading every team's 2025 NHL Draft. [ESPN]
• Claude Giroux has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Ottawa Senators. [NHL.com]
• The Leafs and former Gopher, Matthew Knies have agreed on a new deal to prevent him becoming a heavy offer sheet candidate. Does this sweetheart of a deal mean the end of Toronto overpaying their young players? [Sportsnet]