For years now, Kirill Kaprizov has shown signs that he could be one of the best players in the entire league, and early in 2024/25, it appears that he's finally putting it all together.
Through 16 games, No. 97 has posted 10 goals and 30 points, putting him on pace to blast by his career best, and at 27 years of age, he's just entering the prime of his career.
Now, the talented former fifth-round draft pick has timed things perfectly, as he is set to hit free agency in the summer of 2026, and according to a report from NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, he's set to earn close to $14 million AAV on his next deal.
While there have been links to the Chicago Blackhawks for Kaprizov, but given what he means to the city of Minnesota and the Wild franchise, it's safe to say that they're not letting him go without a fight.
Kaprizov's current career high came back in 2021/22 when he posted an incredible 108 points, and while he's been great since then, he's never quite hit those heights again with injuries playing an unfortunate role.
With him and the whole team healthy, they are now 11-2-3 through their first 16 games, and while no one pegged them as a Stanley Cup contender in the pre-season, it's safe to say that they're making some noise.
As for Kaprizov's next deal, he'll no doubt want to see the team put a good squad around him before locking in on a long-term deal, but with that type of money, it's safe to say it will be tough for him to walk away from the Wild.