Kaprizov's eight-year, 136 million contract makes him the Wild’s core and signals a win-now posture despite cap risk. Guerin frames it as a commitment that speaks to free agents and fans Minnesota will chase titles.

The deal sits among league mega-salaries (McDavid, Eichel) and anchors Minnesota’s sports narrative from Puckett to Garnett, while Kaprizov’s early two-goal start underscores the payoff and the risk of paying for stars in a cap-driven era.