Kirill Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year, $128 million contract, signaling a win-now mindset over a long, guaranteed run. With Minnesota not yet a Cup contender, the move suggests Kaprizov may favor a shorter deal or a higher AAV that tracks cap growth, rather than locking in eight years on a team still chasing a title. The chatter ties Kaprizov to peers like Draisaitl, McDavid, and Matthews, underscoring a market where a blank-check approach could be viable yet contingent on Minnesota proving it can win soon.

The discussion frames Kaprizov’s leverage as part star-driven, part franchise window: owner Craig Leipold has signaled willingness to pay, but the Wild must demonstrate a clear path to a championship to maximize Kaprizov’s value. As cap ceilings rise, the ensuing negotiations could redefine Minnesota’s window and Kaprizov’s long-term fate in the league.

Kaprizov turned down an eight-year, 128 million extension from Minnesota that would have set NHL records for average value and total value, a move Guerin says won’t spark panic and will keep Kirill in focus as talks continue.

Kaprizov’s decision casts a spotlight on cap dynamics, with Draisaitl currently atop the AAV ladder and Ovechkin’s historic deal serving as a benchmark. The Wild insist they’re in a good spot with Kirill and remain committed to a long-term fit.

Connor McDavid sits at the center of a looming extension for the Edmonton Oilers, a deal that could shape the league’s salary structure for years. Kirill Kaprizov in Minnesota looms as a potential market-setter, with Wild ownership signaling they’ll pay what it takes, even as the exact terms remain fluid. The conversation contrasts with Kaprizov’s cited status as a franchise icon and McDavid’s blank-check reputation, raising questions about length, cap hits, and how leverage is distributed across teams this offseason.

Across the table, Kaprizov’s contract chatter is framed by comments from ownership and playoff-sparked expectations, while a veteran observer cautions that a true blank-check is rare. The debate also touches on Leon Draisaitl’s current $14 million figure as a benchmark, with the broader implication that the next wave of mega-deals could redefine what a “max” contract looks like for star players in the cap era.

Connor McDavid isn’t in a rush to re-sign with Edmonton, and the Oilers are playing the long game. LeBrun says the negotiation will be quick once McDavid is ready, but the key question is what length and structure he wants to commit to. The earliest worry for Oilers fans could come at season start if there’s no extension, yet McDavid’s leverage is clear: he wants to understand the team’s direction before sealing a multi-year deal. Leon Draisaitl’s extension a year ago provides context, but the center of gravity remains McDavid’s timeline and the franchise’s future shape.

Edmonton will stay patient and cordial, building the path to a deal around McDavid’s heart and mind. If or when he signs, expect a compact, five-minute negotiation rather than a protracted auction. The broader rumor mill about All-Star concepts and other contracts underscores how fragile cap planning remains, but this is squarely a McDavid-first situation that could redefine the Oilers’ ceiling for years to come.

McDavid signals a patient, long-term plan in Edmonton as two Cup Finals loom. Edmonton adds youth—Matt Savoie and Ike Howard—to the mix, potentially altering top-six dynamics and boosting fantasy upside around McDavid and Draisaitl.

Contract chatter lingers: a three- or four-year deal, or eight years, could anchor McDavid while the youth push shapes the lineup. For fantasy managers, Savoie and Howard could push the Oilers’ attack deeper, widening McDavid’s ceiling but raising risk if vets cede minutes.