Elliotte Friedman Reveals Another Team is Likely Ready to Beat What Minnesota Can Offer Kirill Kaprizov

Kaprizov, who is entering the last year of his 5-year, $45 million contract, netted 56 points in 41 games last season. He's been earning $9 million annually Since the 2021-22 season.

Many were confused by the news that Kaprizov declined a deal to make him the highest-paid player in the NHL. However, top insider Elliotte Friedman believes Kaprizov and his agent are setting themselves up for something bigger.

If the rumors are indeed true, and Kaprizov is looking at a potential 7x$20 million deal, he could be looking at $140 million in total earnings for the next seven years. This would undoubtedly make Kaprizov the highest paid player annually, with the current being Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, who earns $14 million annually, but will also see him ink the largest contract in NHL history by total value, surpassing the $124 million deal signed by Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in 2008.

Following this news, fans took to social media to weigh in on where they thought Kaprizov might land after this season.

From Metro division powerhouses to the sunshine state, it's clear that fans from just about any big market team want the chance to get their hands on the Russian superstar.

While Kaprizov hasn't outright ruled Minnesota out of the picture going forward, it seems clear now that he's priced himself out of Minnesota's pocketbooks. We'll have to wait and see what the team decides to do with their remaining year of control over him.

Will he follow the rumors and bring himself to an Eastern Conference contender? Or will Kaprizov shock everybody and jump ship to a rivaling Western Conference team? Only time will tell.