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If Kirill Kaprizov is worth $17M, how much will Ivan Demidov be worth?
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

If Kirill Kaprizov is worth $17M, how much will Ivan Demidov be worth?

Originally posted on Dose.ca  |  Last updated Oct 1, 2025 2:42 AM ET

Kirill Kaprizov has signed the biggest contract in NHL history: the Wild star will earn $17 million per season on his next deal, which begins next summer.And when you look at the structure of his deal, you realize that Kaprizov will earn most of his money in signing bonuses:

It proves that things are changing in the National League. We’ve never seen an annual salary like this for a hockey player, and with the cap going up in the next few years, guys will be able to go for more money. But it also indicates that right now, the Canadiens are in a good place in a sense… because they’ve got guys like Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky who will be making less than $8M for several more years. That’s interesting too…

On the other hand, looking at Kaprizov’s contract… it’s perhaps a little normal to worry about Ivan Demidov’s value. We agree: Demidov doesn’t yet have the luxury of asking for as much money as Kaprizov because he doesn’t have enough experience… and because he’s not approaching complete autonomy. On the other hand, if Demidov follows in his compatriot’s footsteps – which many expect – and quickly becomes one of the NHL’s best players (which could also happen)… it’s going to cost Montreal a lot of money. Oh, and there’s also Lane Hutson, who’s going to break the bank soon.

A parallel can be drawn with Nick Suzuki. Today, the CH captain is one of the best players in the National League. He earns $7.875 million a year (until 2030) because he signed his contract in 2021, when the cap was lower. But today, Suzuki would be worth much more than that…

That said, it’s going to cost Montreal a lot of money over the next few years, since Suzuki, Caufield, Demidov, Slafkovsky, Hutson and Dobson – between them – are going to take up a big chunk of the Canadiens’ payroll. Especially when Demidov signs his deal, even if it won’t be tomorrow morning. And if the Russian becomes the player we think he can be, Kent Hughes may start having nightmares . Although, I have a feeling the Canadiens’ GM already knows what to expect…

’Overtime’

– Of note.

– Wow.

– Arber Xhekaj and his passion for cars.

– Sick.

– Comical, the Jake!

– Happy reading.

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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