Kirill Kaprizov, the 26-year-old Minnesota Wild left-winger, has been stealing the hearts of the fans ever since he entered the world of top-level ice hockey. The Wild chose the hockey star in the 5th round of the 2015 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft with the 135th overall pick.
Rising star Kirill Kaprizov inked a five-year contract with the Minnesota Wild for $45 million on September 21, 2021. The talented hockey professional’s contract comprises $9 million in cap hit with a $9 million annual average salary. The contract has $10 million in base salary with $10 million in minors salary.
Kaprizov has a prolific record of 234 points in 203 games. He also has 12 playoff points in 19 games until the 2022-23 season. Kaprizov will be an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) by the end of the 2025-26 season, when he turns 29.
Kirill Kaprizov’s successful hockey career
Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild UFA prospect, has played for teams like Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). There, he displayed his extraordinary talent and skills.
The prestigious Calder Memorial Trophy was given to Kaprizov in 2021 for his excellent rookie season after he made an early impression in the NHL. Thanks to this honor, he was the first Minnesota Wild player ever to win the award.
Fans have given Kaprizov affectionate nicknames like 'Dollar Bill Kirill' and 'Kirill the Thrill' for his exhilarating playing style and noteworthy accomplishments.
After being chosen first overall in the 2014 KHL Junior Draft, Kirill Kaprizov started his professional career with Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the KHL's 2014–15 season. He made a strong debut on August 21, 2015.
Kaprizov was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa on May 2, 2016, where he played for a season and scored 42 points in 49 games. He was transferred to CSKA Moscow in 2017 in exchange for cash. Kaprizov made it to the Gagarin Cup finals with CSKA Moscow in 2018 and 2019, winning the trophy in the latter year.
Kaprizov set impressive career highs during the 2019–20 campaign, leading the KHL in goals with 33 and finishing with 62 points and 29 assists. Before the COVID-19 epidemic cancelled the season, Kaprizov scored 4 points in the playoffs as CSKA swept Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
Despite the season's sudden termination, Kaprizov and his CSKA colleagues were named the KHL champions based on their regular-season standings. Kaprizov had the distinction of being a KHL All-Star throughout his whole playing career.