Kirill Kaprizov Leads Minnesota Wild to Dominant Start, Eyes Hart Trophy

Kirill Kaprizov, the star forward of the Minnesota Wild, is making a strong case for the Hart Trophy early in the 2024-2025 NHL season. With his impressive performance, Kaprizov has positioned himself among the league leaders in several key metrics. He currently leads the NHL in points per game with 1.85 and even-strength points with 17, and ranks second in overall points with 24 in 13 games, just behind Colorado Avalanche‘s Nathan MacKinnon.

Kaprizov’s advanced stats are equally impressive. According to NHL EDGE stats, he is among the leaders in total skating distance at even strength and on the power play, with 39.46 miles and 8.19 miles respectively. He also boasts a top shot speed of 91.58 mph and a high offensive zone time percentage at all strengths, at 45.8%.

Despite suffering an injury that left him stitched up and missing a tooth, Kaprizov continued to excel, contributing significantly to the Wild’s victories over the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks. In the game against the Sharks, he had three assists, and against the Ducks, he scored two goals and added an assist, further solidifying his position at the top of the NHL scoring list.

The Wild, who missed the playoffs last season, are now leading the league in 5-on-5 shooting percentage plus save percentage, thanks in part to Kaprizov’s dominance and the strong performance of goalie Filip Gustavsson. Kaprizov’s chemistry with teammates like Mats Zuccarello and his impact on the team’s overall performance make him a strong contender for not only the Hart Trophy but also the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies.

With a new contract on the horizon and the potential to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-2026 season, Kaprizov is at the peak of his game, driving the Wild back into playoff contention and cementing his status as one of hockey’s top stars.