ST. PAUL — Last Friday, Bill Guerin confirmed that the Minnesota Wild have officially signed Russian forward Danila Yurov to a three-year, entry-level contract, starting next season.
The 21-year-old was selected 24th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, just five picks after the Wild took Liam Ohgren, who is also expected to make an impact on the team next year.
Yurov, a promising prospect, has been one of the top offensive players in the KHL over the past couple of years. In the 2023-24 season, he set a KHL record for points by a player aged 20 or younger, amassing 49 points while helping Metallurg win the Gagarin Cup.
As a left-handed centerman, Yurov has also been solid defensively, posting a +41 rating over 208 KHL games during his five-year career in Russia’s premier league.
The contract is valued at $2.855 million over three years, equating to $950,000 per year — a great deal for a player who could become a top-six forward. This comes in an offseason where the Wild’s salary cap flexibility is much improved, following the end of the Parise and Suter buyouts.
Initially, Yurov is expected to slot into a third or fourth-line center role as he adjusts to the NHL. With players like Joel Eriksson Ek, Freddy Gaudreau, and possibly Marco Rossi already in the fold, there’s no rush to place Yurov on a top line with Kirill Kaprizov right away — although he might be able to relate to Kaprizov given their shared Russian heritage.
There’s also hope that Yurov’s signing could be a factor in convincing Kaprizov to stay with the Wild long-term. According to Hockeywriters.com, Yurov is “easily the most hyped-up prospect since Kaprizov” and brings high expectations, much like Kaprizov did when he first arrived in Minnesota. While it’s unlikely Yurov will instantly dominate, he possesses elite offensive skills, excellent skating, and a relentless forechecking style that makes him a constant threat in the offensive zone, per Elite Prospects.
For Yurov, it’s less about if he will succeed in the NHL, but when — with his first year likely depending on how quickly he can adjust to the faster pace of the game. If he transitions well from the KHL, he could quickly rise through the ranks. However, if he requires more time to adjust, the Wild’s depth at forward, bolstered by Yurov’s addition, will allow him to develop at a comfortable pace.
Yurov will wear No. 22 for the Wild in his rookie season.
