Kirill Kaprizov's HUGE deal could shake up the Central, and force the Dallas Stars to act fast
Photo credit: Minnesota Hockey magazine
The Minnesota Wild are reportedly finalizing a deal to make Kirill Kaprizov the NHL's highest-paid player at a staggering $15 million AAV, and the ripple effects could hit the Dallas Stars sooner than expected as they plan for their own top stars.
If Kaprizov's deal is finalized, it won't just reshape Minnesota's cap sheet, it could also raise the price tag for Jason Robertson, who is one year away from needing a new contract.
With Mikko Rantanen already signed at $12 million AAV, Dallas may need to make decisions quickly to avoid a Robertson holdout or trade scenario.
According to The Times of India, the Wild are pushing to lock Kaprizov into an eight-year mega-deal that would eat nearly 18% of their cap, making him the league's costliest contract by a wide margin.
Kaprizov's $15 million deal may drive up Jason Robertson's asking price as the Stars juggle big contracts
Cap analysts warn this could cause a domino effect in the Central Division. One executive told Reuters:
«When a rival team sets a new bar for a winger, every other elite forward uses it as leverage. Dallas is no exception.»
Another league source added:
«Robertson is already coming off a season where he was fourth in NHL scoring after Christmas. He'll want to be paid among the top five wingers.»
If Robertson's camp sees Kaprizov land that contract, it could spark one of the most expensive winger negotiations in Stars history.
If Dallas delays, Robertson's price could soar, forcing GM Jim Nill to consider moving contracts or even exploring trades to avoid cap crunches while keeping the Stars competitive in the Central.
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