The Minnesota Wild signed star left wing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million extension on Tuesday, giving him the richest contract in NHL history.

The 28-year-old Kaprizov will count $17 million against the salary cap beginning next season, through 2034. That’s the highest annual average salary of any player since the league’s cap era began in 2005, surpassing Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl at $112 million over eight years, a $14 million annual average. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value.

“We never wanted to entertain Kirill not being here,” general manager Bill Guerin said.

Kaprizov’s contract sets a new bar at one of the most intriguing financial times in pro hockey. The best player in the world, C

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