Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov has just signed the NHL's most lucrative contract ever, which means Connor McDavid could shortly top that yearly AAV any week now. The Minnesota Wild signed sensation winger Kirill Kaprizov to <a href='https://www.nhl.com/news/kirill-kaprizov-signs-eight-year-136-million-contract-with-minnesota-wild' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>an all-time eight-year, $136 million extension deal, the largest in league history</a>. The 2026-27 extension is an all-time record $17 million average annual cap hit and retains the 27-year-old wing player as the franchise's cornerstone for years to come. Kaprizov rejected an initial eight-year, $126 million offer before finally signing a deal worth $10 million more. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/espn/status/1973033983735636261'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> His new contract instantly changes the league's salary landscape, focusing attention on Connor McDavid's coming extension with the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid, who inked his eight-year, $100 million contract in 2017, receives $12.5 million each year. Kaprizov's $17 million-per-year haul is the new benchmark, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/elliotte-friedman-unusual-take-on-connor-mcdavid-future-driving-off-the-road' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>and everyone is now observing Edmonton's captain</a> to determine if his next contract will eclipse it, which one social media user believes it will. I can see McDavid putting pen to paper quite soon here. As early as this week. 17.5 x 4 is what I can see happening. - NewWorldOilers <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NewWorldOilers/status/1973035575310713103'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Oilers and other suitors are following closely as the two-time Hart Trophy winner's future becomes uncertain. Kaprizov's contract not only rewards him the most in the NHL on an annual basis, but also overall. His $136 million contract ranks higher than Alex Ovechkin's $124 million contract with Washington and Leon Draisaitl's $112 million contract with Edmonton. <h3>Leon Draisaitl no Longer Has the Highest AAV in the NHL</h3> Draisaitl, who will make $14 million annually beginning in 2025-26, now stands second to Kaprizov in annual value. With this record-breaking contract, the Wild made one thing certain: Kaprizov is their franchise stalwart. But the shockwaves may even be more profound, as the current negotiation with McDavid can redefine how NHL superstars are compensated going forward, depending on how it all plays out.