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.