MN Wild Adjust To the NHL With Blockbuster Move of All Time

Danila Yurov’s path to the NHL has been a long-awaited journey, and his North American career is just getting started.

In the 2023-24 KHL season, Yurov broke records by amassing 49 points, the most by any skater aged 20 or younger in a single season. This milestone is just one of many in the young Russian’s impressive resume, which includes a Gagarin Cup championship and being selected as a first-round draft pick.

Now, the talented forward is set to chase his NHL dreams, a goal he’s held since his teenage years. “It’s a new chapter,” Yurov shared. “I’ve been working toward this dream since I was a kid. Around age 13, when I started playing for the national team and competing internationally, I realized I’d do whatever it takes to reach the NHL.”

Injuries hampered Yurov’s output last season, limiting him to 13 goals and 25 points after a standout 2022-23 season with career-highs of 21 goals, 28 assists, and 49 points. Despite the setback, Yurov is poised to make a significant impact with the Minnesota Wild this season.

“I decided about a year ago that I was ready to make the move,” Yurov shared. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, go to a place where I’d be a stranger, and start fresh to prove myself again. I’m eager to train and compete with the best players in the world, to live the experience I’ve always imagined.”

Yurov has the skills to excel in the NHL as a complete 200-foot player with strong skating, shooting, and passing abilities. His high hockey IQ gives the Minnesota Wild confidence that he can play center, a position that requires versatility.

It’d be exciting to see him replicate plays like the one in the clip on the Wild roster next season.

“Adapting to the defensive game is something people often mention, but I’m not too concerned,” Yurov said. “I’ve had excellent coaches at both the club and national levels who’ve helped me develop that part of my game. Even as an offensive-minded center, I’ve always taken my responsibilities in all zones seriously.”

This defensive reliability will be key for Yurov to secure a permanent spot on the NHL roster, as coach John Hynes expects his forwards to be accountable on both ends of the ice. Rookies often face greater defensive expectations than veterans.

“My main goal is to earn and keep a roster spot,” Yurov stated. “I want to improve in every aspect—get physically stronger, deepen my understanding of the game, and refine my skills. I’m focused on daily progress, and I’ll see where that leads by season’s end. I’m taking it one day at a time.”

Yurov plans to split his summer between Russia and North America, but he’ll soon don a Wild jersey and begin training at Tria Rink in St. Paul. “I’m training in Magnitogorsk for a few more weeks while I finalize my visa,” he said. “Then, in mid-June, I’ll head to the U.S. to continue training on and off the ice with a personal coach, while also sorting out housing and transportation.”

Though his contract allows a loan back to his KHL team, Yurov is open to playing in Iowa if the Wild choose that path. “Absolutely,” he said about the possibility of the AHL. “I’m ready for any challenge. If I weren’t, there’d be no reason to make this move.”

Yurov will wear No. 22, previously worn by fellow Russian Marat Khusnutdinov, a second-round pick. Interestingly, Yurov has worn that number since he was 12, as it’s his birthday. “It’s been my number since I was a kid, and I wore it in Russia too,” he said. “It was a nice coincidence that it was available here—it was assigned to me without even asking.”

At the end of his interview, Yurov shared an uplifting message for Wild fans: “Thank you for the excitement about my signing. I’ll do my best to make you proud with my play from Day 1. Come to the arena—we’ll work hard to win and deliver some highlight-reel goals.”

Yurov’s arrival promises to boost attendance and draw more attention to Wild hockey now that he’s in North America.