Yesterday I read the news that Minnesota Wild POHO/GM Bill Guerin signed left wing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year extension for a staggering $136 million, which boils down to an AAV of $17 million.
It’s the richest contract to date in NHL history, surpassing the $14 million AAV being raked in by Oilers stud Leon Draisaitl by a fairly substantial margin. Dwarfing Connor McDavid’s $12.5 million AAV.
I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, even though I am just a little. Spiraling salaries are the way of things in professional sports these days. Hockey’s no exception, especially with the salary cap bumping up to $95.5 million.
I won’t pass judgment on whether or not the 28-year-old whiz is worth it. By all accounts, the three-time 40+ goal scorer, who’s averaged well over a point-per-game during his five seasons in the NHL, is a special player. Exceedingly popular with his teammates to boot.
Without trying to sermonize, it makes me all-the-more grateful for Sidney Crosby. Our reigning superstar has earned a comparatively modest $8.7 million per season going all the way back to 2008-09. Practically his entire career.
That’s roughly half of what Kaprizov’s set to earn. As fine a player as Kirill is, he isn’t twice the player Sid is.
There’s no telling how many countless millions our captain’s left on the bargaining table, especially during his last couple contract negotiations in 2012 and 2024. In this me-first era of grab-all-you-can, it’s truly refreshing to find an elite athlete…scratch that…a Mt. Rushmore athlete, who essentially says, I make enough, let’s save some for the rest of the team.
I’ll include Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in my list of commendables. Each is earning a fairly modest $6.1 million/season. Yes, both are entering the twilight of their respective careers and have seen better days. However, as recently as ’22-23 Geno produced 83 points for his $6.1 million, and another 67 the following season. Without crunching the numbers, I’ve got to think that made him the biggest bargain in the NHL, or close to it.
Likewise, as recently as ’23-24 Tanger produced 51 points, and that was with Erik Karlsson usurping a significant chunk of his power-play time. Again, bargain city.
Not only are all three fabulous athletes who’ve blessed us with so many enduring hockey memories, they’ve been willing to stay for less than they likely would’ve received had they gone elsewhere. Which makes them all the more exceptional in my eyes.
It’s a Hockey Night…in Buffalo
The Pens have announced their lineup for tonight’s preseason tilt with the Sabres. It’s more of the same, laden with prospects and bubble players seeking to make an impression and secure a job.
Forwards: Acciari, Broz, Fabbri, Hållander, Harvey-Pinard, A. Hayes, Heinen, Kindel, Koivunen, Koppanen, Lizotte, Poulin, Tomasino
Defense: Brunicke, Dumba, Graves, Kemp, Pickering, St. Ivany, Shea
Goalies: Larsson, Silovs
