Recently, big NHL news happened. Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov signed an eight-year, $136 million contract extension to remain with the Wild. That is an annual of $17 million per year.
Kaprizov was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and turned down a contract worth $128 million. Now, Kaprizov will be back in Minnesota.
Kaprizov has turned into a superstar with recording 386 points in 319 NHL games at 28 years old. With the contract Kaprizov signed, some wonder what Connor McDavid's next contract will be like. However, with Kaprizov's newest contract signed, it shows how much of a bargain the Ottawa Senators have Tim Stutzle under contract for.
Stutzle's current contract is a steal for his age and production
In September 2022, Stutzle signed an eight-year, $66.8 million contract extension to remain a Senator. That is an annual of $8.35 million per year. Stutzle's extension didn't start until the 2023-24 season.
However, the production of Stutzle for his salary and play have been incredible for the Senators at 23 years old. That 2022-23 season after signing his extension, Stutzle recorded a career-high 90-point season.
In his NHL career, Stutzle has recorded 326 points in 367 games played. Stutzle's point total is the most among any player from the 2020 NHL Draft class. Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings has the second most among the draft class, but has 72 less career points than Stutzle.
Stutzle will become an unrestricted free agent in 2031. The first two seasons into his extension have been solid for Stutzle with recording back-to-back 70-point seasons.
Last season, it was the Senators' best season with Stutzle on the team. Stutzle's 79 points led the Senators and was a major factor for making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. In the 2025 playoffs, Stutzle continued his regular season success with recording five points.
The Wild have always been a team that has been unable to get over the hump even with Kaprizov on the team. After all, the Wild have never won a game in the Conference Finals throughout franchise history.
For the Senators with Stutzle, the team is destined for bigger things. After making the playoffs for the first time in eight years, the Senators have a roster built together based on youth and potential. Stutzle will be a key player that the Senators will go to for years.