Again, that's just speculation. Read the interview with him. As well, why is he getting punished for taking the college route instead of staying in the KHL/MHL? Khusnutdinov didn't show anything in the K. Ohgren didn't show much in the A (and yes I watched some highlights).
He came to North America after taking his time to develop in the AHL. Who in the last three seasons in the AHL have developed at all? Rossi? Duhaime? Dewar? Some stellar names there. Should Stramel be penalized for leaving Wisconsin after committing to the team?
Minnesota didn't NEED to let Firstov go, but they did loan him out. So there was some mutual agreement between team and player.
Also, he wasn't disloyal (he came back to play in the AHL), doesn't show he's entitled (was given the option to go back home and play in front of his family and under a legendary player and coach) and he's not untalented. He might not be as talented as Yurov, but I'd put him in the range of Ohgren/Khusnutdinov, maybe a step below.
Firstov never had any articles posted like Sokolov either or Khovanov questioning his inability to be coached.
Also something to consider: He was getting paid 70,000 in the AHL vs at least a couple hundred thousand in the KHL.
Vladislav Firstov is currently on an Entry Level Contract. The Iowa Wild (AHL) loaned him to the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL to continue his development. Many believe he’s not going to ever play in a forest green sweater, if they remember him in the first place. But I’m here to tell you wh...
hockeywilderness.com
My final say is this;
a lot of Wild fans are taking this way too personally like some jilted lover and trying to bash Firstov over perceived slights from biased sources. What is known is that the Wild gave Firstov permission to go back home (loaning him out) and didn't terminate his contract,. Maybe they tried trading him, but got not bids. Maybe they didn't think of extending Firstov next season and rather focus on another prospect like Petrovesky. Who knows.
---
How many games do you think Heidt is going to get? Also I'm curious to see how Haight does in the AHL and if Kumps will stay or not.