Overview

• Minnesota announced a five-year extension for Filip Gustavsson worth $34 million ($6.8 million AAV) that begins in 2026–27, cementing the 27-year-old as the No. 1 with Jesper Wallstedt slated as his backup.
• Earlier this week the Wild secured Kirill Kaprizov on an eight-year, $136 million contract ($17 million AAV), the largest by total value and top AAV in NHL history at signing.
• Analysts say Kaprizov’s benchmark is raising expectations for elite wingers in the 2026 UFA class, with projections moving Adrian Kempe into the ~$11 million range and Kyle Connor into the $12–13 million tier.
• Forecasts place Jack Eichel’s next deal below Kaprizov’s AAV, with estimates near $14 million per year in Vegas given its tax advantage, though negotiations are described as progressing slowly.
• With Gustavsson joining Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber on multiyear deals, insiders suggest Minnesota could become a more attractive destination, with Artemi Panarin mentioned as a potential target on a speculative basis.