Prospect Info: Wild Prospect Thread 2022-23

[JiricekSaveUs]

I think he’s better than Rossi from the limited viewings I have had of each. Wouldn’t surprise me if he is our “TDL acquisition” next year and they slot him between Kap and Zucc to mentor/make the transition easier.

He’s a better skater by quite a bit, has a better shot, and he’s a lot more decisive with the puck than my recent viewings of Rossi. He is also more willing to engange physically in front of the net. Marat is definitely slighter than Rossi but he’s more athletic by quite a bit. Rossi, I believe, still has the elite puck distribution skills that I haven’t seen from Marat. Marat is more of a quick strike off the rush creator a lot of the time. Similar to Fiala. He does a lot of the same quick passes and then moving to the next spot really quickly. Karat’s IQ is v good I think, though it’s tough to really know forsure until you see them in the NHL.

 

[Wabit]

Does the KHL season end that much earlier than the NHL? Or am I missing something?

Yes it ends sooner. They only have a couple of games left in their regular season.

Marat K's team is 1st overall and takes home the KHL version of the Presidents Trophy.
Firstov's team is currently 4th in the East.
Yurov's team is 3p behind them and 6th in the East.

I'm curious as to what they do with Firstov when his KHL season is over this year. 10g/15a, +11 in 44 games this year.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Yes it ends sooner. They only have a couple of games left in their regular season.

Marat K's team is 1st overall and takes home the KHL version of the Presidents Trophy.
Firstov's team is currently 4th in the East.
Yurov's team is 3p behind them and 6th in the East.

I'm curious as to what they do with Firstov when his KHL season is over this year. 10g/15a, +11 in 44 games this year.

Right, but then he and the Wild have to agree on a contract. He has to get a visa to be able to come and play here. I'm sure there's a myriad of other things.

I just don't think he'll be playing for the Wild next season. Using the offseason to get all that squared away seems much more likely.

 

[Wabit]

Right, but then he and the Wild have to agree on a contract. He has to get a visa to be able to come and play here. I'm sure there's a myriad of other things.

I just don't think he'll be playing for the Wild next season. Using the offseason to get all that squared away seems much more likely.

Firstov is on loan to the KHL from the Wild. They already have him under contract and he should have a work visa (he did play a game in Iowa this year).

Next year is the soonest we can see Yurov. The 24-25 season the soonest for Marat K.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Can Visa stuff not be worked out ahead of time?

 

[Minnewildsota]

Firstov is on loan to the KHL from the Wild. They already have him under contract and he should have a work visa (he did play a game in Iowa this year).

Next year is the soonest we can see Yurov. The 24-25 season the soonest for Marat K.

I was strictly speaking Marat.

Can Visa stuff not be worked out ahead of time?

I don't think it can because AFAIK, you have to have proof of employment. To have proof of employment, you need a contract. I don't think the NHL can have Marat sign a contract until his KHL contract is over.

 

[57special]

Does the KHL season end that much earlier than the NHL? Or am I missing something?

Yea, they start, and end, really early.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I was strictly speaking Marat.


I don't think it can because AFAIK, you have to have proof of employment. To have proof of employment, you need a contract. I don't think the NHL can have Marat sign a contract until his KHL contract is over.

Ahhh, I think I also misinterpreted time frames. For some reason I thought KHL players might be able to come over for the end of the season. That might be more along the lines of NCAA hockey

 

[AKL]

I would still be weary of Khusnutdinov's size when transitioning to the NHL. Even if he is better than Rossi, it might take him a while to adjust to the skill, size, strength and physicality of NHL defenders. I'm not ready to etch his name in stone yet. If he can make the team in 2024-25 that's a win.

I'm curious as to what they do with Firstov when his KHL season is over this year. 10g/15a, +11 in 44 games this year.

What do you mean what they do with him? He's on his ELC, the Wild own his rights.

 

[57special]

He’s a better skater by quite a bit, has a better shot, and he’s a lot more decisive with the puck than my recent viewings of Rossi. He is also more willing to engange physically in front of the net. Marat is definitely slighter than Rossi but he’s more athletic by quite a bit. Rossi, I believe, still has the elite puck distribution skills that I haven’t seen from Marat. Marat is more of a quick strike off the rush creator a lot of the time. Similar to Fiala. He does a lot of the same quick passes and then moving to the next spot really quickly. Karat’s IQ is v good I think, though it’s tough to really know forsure until you see them in the NHL.

ROSSI has a decent shot, too. He is no Granlund. I am hopeful that both he and Rossi will be top 9 C’s. It might be boring, but it’s nice that they are both decent defensive C’s, though I have my doubts about Rossi’s FO’s…that’s really common for all young C’s , though.

I am excited about Marat, but sure wish we had him for next year. I wonder if his agent is going to demand that we sign him in the spring, blowing a year of team control. Not a fan of that for a non star player.

 

[AKL]

Ahhh, I think I also misinterpreted time frames. For some reason I thought KHL players might be able to come over for the end of the season. That might be more along the lines of NCAA hockey

Quarterfinals can potentially end at the end of March. I believe if a player on an expiring contract gets knocked out of the playoffs, he's free to sign whenever (but I could be wrong). That's probably not gonna come into play with SKA though. Otherwise the league finals end at the end of April, which means round 2/3 here. But that doesn't come into play for the Wild.

Ultimately we'll just have to wait until 2024-25.

 

[Minnewildsota]

ROSSI has a decent shot, too. He is no Granlund. I am hopeful that both he and Rossi will be top 9 C’s. It might be boring, but it’s nice that they are both decent defensive C’s, though I have my doubts about Rossi’s FO’s…that’s really common for all young C’s , though.

I am excited about Marat, but sure wish we had him for next year. I wonder if his agent is going to demand that we sign him in the spring, blowing a year of team control. Not a fan of that for a non star player.

Can they do that? I thought if a player was under KHL control, essentially the NHL had to be hands off. Unless I misunderstood the rules.

 

[Wabit]

What do you mean what they do with him? He's on his ELC, the Wild own his rights.

I mean what do they do with Firstov when the KHL season is over:
-Shut him down for the season.
-Bring him back over to finish off the AHL season.
-Give him a cookie and put him on the NHL roster.

21 yo, 3 years of college, and in his 1st pro season. A late season callup is pretty normal for players on this development path.

 

[Parax]

I would still be weary of Khusnutdinov's size when transitioning to the NHL. Even if he is better than Rossi, it might take him a while to adjust to the skill, size, strength and physicality of NHL defenders. I'm not ready to etch his name in stone yet. If he can make the team in 2024-25 that's a win.



What do you mean what they do with him? He's on his ELC, the Wild own his rights.

Marat seems a lot more mobile in the offensive zone where I feel like Rossi tends to spend a lot of time stationary in front of the net. Small stature hurts when you are trying to control one area of the ice vs constantly moving whenever the puck changes position. It probably still ends up being a big adjustment, but it seems he plays the position better for his size than Rossi. Plus it seems he's a much better skater.

 

[Wabit]

Quarterfinals can potentially end at the end of March. I believe if a player on an expiring contract gets knocked out of the playoffs, he's free to sign whenever (but I could be wrong). That's probably not gonna come into play with SKA though. Otherwise the league finals end at the end of April, which means round 2/3 here. But that doesn't come into play for the Wild.

Ultimately we'll just have to wait until 2024-25.

It's been the end of the KHL league year (APR 30th) to where NHL teams can sign KHL players on an expiring contract due to the non-compete clauses they leagues have. Unless the KHL team releases the player from their contract; which doesn't happen.

 

[57special]

Marat seems a lot more mobile in the offensive zone where I feel like Rossi tends to spend a lot of time stationary in front of the net. Small stature hurts when you are trying to control one area of the ice vs constantly moving whenever the puck changes position. It probably still ends up being a big adjustment, but it seems he plays the position better for his size than Rossi. Plus it seems he's a much better skater.

I don’t agree about him being stationary in front of the net in the O zone, at all. Part of Rossi’s problem was that he was too much of a perimeter player in the O zone, but he is starting to go to the front of the net. He is decently mobile in the O zone, and what’s more, good at possessing the puck while doing so. Marat, not so much…he’s more of a darting player who needs open space to use his speed.

 

[AKL]

I mean what do they do with Firstov when the KHL season is over:
-Shut him down for the season.
-Bring him back over to finish off the AHL season.
-Give him a cookie and put him on the NHL roster.

21 yo, 3 years of college, and in his 1st pro season. A late season callup is pretty normal for players on this development path.

Got it. Just wasn't sure what you were referring to.

I'm thinking they won't give him the cookie, but I would love if they did. I've always liked his potential to add some offense to a third line. Honestly the way this roster is constructed currently, I'd think he would be first in line for a shot at the open wing opposite Boldy.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

ROSSI has a decent shot, too. He is no Granlund. I am hopeful that both he and Rossi will be top 9 C’s. It might be boring, but it’s nice that they are both decent defensive C’s, though I have my doubts about Rossi’s FO’s…that’s really common for all young C’s , though.

I am excited about Marat, but sure wish we had him for next year. I wonder if his agent is going to demand that we sign him in the spring, blowing a year of team control. Not a fan of that for a non star player.

Rossi’s accuracy is pretty good, but power isn’t NHL average imo. I also never really like guys that are heel shooters. The release is quicker from the toe and you can really load up more. He’s more of a wrist shot than a snap shot guy.

 

[Wabit]

Got it. Just wasn't sure what you were referring to.

I'm thinking they won't give him the cookie, but I would love if they did. I've always liked his potential to add some offense to a third line. Honestly the way this roster is constructed currently, I'd think he would be first in line for a shot at the open wing opposite Boldy.

If Walker finds his game he's my first callup choice. If Firstov (TBH I'm just stats watching on him) has a good KHL Playoffs (and is healthy) then I'd probably bump him ahead of pre-ASG Walker.

Right now Beckman is just a roster filler, but I think all of the AHL guys are that right now. Nobody has really stood out to me lately. I do think they intend to keep Rossi sheltered in the AHL the rest of the season so that bumps him down the callup list.

 

[AKL]

If Walker finds his game he's my first callup choice. If Firstov (TBH I'm just stats watching on him) has a good KHL Playoffs (and is healthy) then I'd probably bump him ahead of pre-ASG Walker.

Right now Beckman is just a roster filler, but I think all of the AHL guys are that right now. Nobody has really stood out to me lately. I do think they intend to keep Rossi sheltered in the AHL the rest of the season so that bumps him down the callup list.

Yeah, Beckman needs more seasonig, I think Walker does too, even though they're both promising at times. Firstov goes to the top of my list just because 1) he's something new that hasn't been tried yet and 2) he's having a pretty good season for a 21 year old KHL rookie. KHL is also a better league than the AHL so that helps his case too.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

Firstov won’t be back in NA unless the wild think he’s a no doubt NHL player and treat him like one. He doesn’t want to play in the AHL. For what it’s worth, I don’t really blame him. I wouldn’t want to go play in the Russian second league for less money in hopes of making the KHL. I think he’ll play in the NHL someday, but this wild regime doesn’t respond well to these type of games. I bet he’s traded this offseason.

 

[AKL]

Firstov won’t be back in NA unless the wild think he’s a no doubt NHL player and treat him like one. He doesn’t want to play in the AHL. For what it’s worth, I don’t really blame him. I wouldn’t want to go play in the Russian second league for less money in hopes of making the KHL. I think he’ll play in the NHL someday, but this wild regime doesn’t respond well to these type of games. I bet he’s traded this offseason.

I'm not sure this is a Menell case. Firstov signed his ELC and then the Wild loaned him to the KHL. I think they see the value of him developing over there, but I also think he figures into their plans in some way moving forward.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

I'm not sure this is a Menell case. Firstov signed his ELC and then the Wild loaned him to the KHL. I think they see the value of him developing over there, but I also think he figures into their plans in some way moving forward.

We’ll see. I know they were not fans of him going back to Russia this year though. They wanted him to develop with their team in Iowa.

 

[AKL]

We’ll see. I know they were not fans of him going back to Russia this year though. They wanted him to develop with their team in Iowa.

It's possible. Guerin always seems to harp on how great the AHL is. Would be a shame if he lets his arrogance cost him another prospect like this. Surely Guerin has to know there are other good places to develop, and a prospects comfort level with his development is just as important as the orgnizations. If Guerin wants to move on from every prospect who doesn't want to play for his AHL team, I want to move on from Guerin.

It would just be really weird to move him for that. He came over here for juniors, got drafted out of the USHL, played three seasons in the NCAA, and then signed his ELC with us. He clearly doesn't have a problem being in NA. And it's not like he's the only Wild prospect in Russia at the moment.

 

[Wabit]

Firstov won’t be back in NA unless the wild think he’s a no doubt NHL player and treat him like one. He doesn’t want to play in the AHL. For what it’s worth, I don’t really blame him. I wouldn’t want to go play in the Russian second league for less money in hopes of making the KHL. I think he’ll play in the NHL someday, but this wild regime doesn’t respond well to these type of games. I bet he’s traded this offseason.

I don't know tbh. The KHL season being over for him might change the math some for Firstov. Yes, he might still be in the AHL, but it does give him a chance to showcase before next season. Also it shows the good will towards the team.

He did have a year in the USHL and then 3 years in college, so it's not like he isn't acclimated to NA. So I don;t see the ties to Russia as being that big of a concern.

I also think he was sent to the KHL to relieve some pressure from the FWD group in Iowa (something like 9 waivers exempt FWDs for MN currently). Beckman, Chaffee, Swaney, Walker, Shaw, Hentges, Giroux, etc were all on the roster at the start of the season. Cramarossa was released because he couldn't get on the ice for this reason. A better development for everyone is to send someone to the KHL rather than the ECHL to get ice time. I don't see it as much different than Ohgren staying in Sweden rather then being in the AHL this year.

The fear of NHL or bust is bigger for Yurov or Marat K than it is for Firstov for me.