Insider: One Team Tampered & Threw a $20M Number at Kaprizov

The Kirill Kaprizov extension is still making waves across the hockey world. Observers were shocked when the Minnesota Wild superstar turned down a $128 million offer from the team last month, with a $16 million AAV.

Then we heard that one team might have 'tampered' (or 'whispered', being the kinder accusation) in Kaprizov's ear that there was more on the table for him if he didn't sign with Minny.

Now, insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has added more detail to that rumor, stating that, somehow, some team got word to Kaprizov's camp that they could make an unheard-of $20 million AAV happen if he held off signing. Friedman calls it "a story that will play out over time."

Who was claiming they would offer Kaprizov $20M? Minnesota warned teams that if they ever got evidence, they would pursue punishment with the NHL. It’s moot now, Kaprizov is a Wild for life, but several sources agree that figure was thrown at him.

We might never know which team it was that dropped that little $20M birdie in Kaprizov's ear, though Friedman's suggestion that the story will "play out over time" certainly suggests he won't give up trying to find out.

In the end, the Wild got their man, signing their franchise player to an eight-year deal worth a hockey record $136 million, with a $17 million AAV. That smashed the previous mark—set just last year—of Leon Draisaitl's $112 million, eight-year deal with a $14 million annual salary. That one takes effect this season, leaving King Leon with the mantle as the highest-paid NHLer for this one season.

Kaprizov played only 41 games last season with the Wild, but notched 25 goals and 56 points. He had three consecutive 40+ goal seasons before that, and in his 319 NHL games, he has 185 goals and 386 points. If he can stay healthy for a full season, he has an 82-game pace of 48 goals and 99 points.