Is Kirill worth $17.5-$18.5M/year?

I just got around to listening to Elliot's new 32 thoughts about Kirill and it's....very interesting. I really only trust a few insiders and Elliot's clearly the top dog. Still a lot of speculation but I'll summarize a few nuggets.

• Thinks it makes sense for Kirill to sign 8 years x ?? amount and if the Wild aren't contenders, request a trade ~3 years into the contract. Kirill's injury history is real so lock up the bag.
• Thinks there are 'whispers in the wind' and Kirill's agent knows another team will make a bigger offer in UFA 2025
• Another team has likely (unofficially) put a 7 x $19M or $20M on the table next summer
• Elliot doesn't think Kirill wants shorter term

Assuming this is all true, which it very well could be, this sounds like it either IS about money or Kirill wants out or MN stat. I also think Thoefanus is a selfish dirt bag which makes this even more complicated.

So the question is, is Kirill worth 8 x ~$18 so we beat out any other offers in UFA next year?

My take:

• $16M/year was already pushing it in my mind so $16.5 might be my limit depending on a trade return.
• Think of him making $18M, which would be $8M more than Barkov and Kuch, $6+ more than Pasta/Rantannan/Marner. It would be astronomically higher than the top players in the league, likely for a handful of years even with the cap going up.
• Would show that Kirill IS NOT all about winning and just wants the most money he can possibly get.
• But if we lose him, do we have any chance at a cup anyways? This is lose/lose IMO and a really tough decision.
• Last note - I think Chicago or Carolina make an under the table deal like this. The Hawks, for example, have a win/win. They either blow up a division rivals cap for 8 years or they get Kirill since they have like 4 NHL caliber players and can afford it.