Article: Changing Positions Would Change the Game For Danila Yurov

[Tony Abbott]

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[Sviginak]

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades! As usual this time of year, I’m on board, Tony.

[Protec]

We'll see how the KHL season goes. He's on track to get a more prominent role there. If it goes well for Yurov & Knudi the Wild will be in a pretty good spot. Especially considering the available money to retain vets.

[Up North Guy]

Yurov could truly be a wildcard down the line. His development is really being stunted in Russia. Hopefully that doesn't happen again this year. If it does, he will need a minimum of a year in Iowa and possibly two.

[TCMooch]

Are there any examples of a player drafted as a winner that moved to center and was successful?

[vonlonster67]

I'm also excited and share the above accord.  Yurov comes to us as a versatile player and it appears he has his sites set on the USA in '24-'25. Just hearing the fact that he has shared some contact with KK has me even more invested. 

Yurov has bought into the Wild experience so much he has been taking English classes and is able to communicate much better that last years draft. Another year in the KHL, and more English and he should be even more focused. It says something about his investment in the WIld. The game of hockey is not always simple on the ice I'm sure there are communication issues here and there with your teammates and coaches in a critical time, so this is a bonus and buy in.

His transition to the NHL will be much more seamless with KK and Khusnutdinov, making the Russian connection potent in the coming years.

Imagine changing lines around if Yurov should find himself as a 1C or 2C and also sliding out to wing, or the PP options, its endless, not to mention Öhgren and EEK, WOW!

The future is indeed bright Sviginak 

[TS102]

3 hours ago, TCMooch said:

Are there any examples of a player drafted as a winner that moved to center and was successful?

Messier, Giroux, Hayes, Stutzle, Aho, Dubios, Zetterberg. Couple of them played center and wing, but most didn't convert to center until the NHL.

[Tony Abbott]

Apparently Yurov played center in Juniors as well. Most players, I'm sure, have experience at center, but at some point get moved off the position.

[mnfaninnc]

I saw this possibility from a scouting report earlier in the season, not a Wild scout. They thought Yurov's game could easily transition to him being a center over here. His skating and hockey IQ were listed as the main reasons. 

It's nice to have options who can play center, but I personally think Yurov is Zuccarello's replacement. Now, if we get back to Evason's "no positions" creation and continue with the F1, 2, 3 thought, having other guys who can play center would be interesting. 

I'm pretty excited about the pieces we've got that aren't in Iowa. Bringing over 3 guys from Europe to compete for a roster spot next year is huge. And as we look at roster construction, what is lacking in our system is a Foligno type player. Hartman is a sandpapery guy, but we've got some guys who can also bring that. Our team will suddenly transform into a highly skilled team rather than a grit team. So this grit first mentality really is only temporary. 

Board battle victories are important, especially on dump ins, but if a team is going to mostly carry pucks in and use the middle of the ice, that part becomes a little less important. I still believe you've got to be able to give that heavy shift once in awhile, and have some heavy players, but the identity of this team will change and be ultra entertaining. Stramel and Kumpulainen will be those big forwards in years to come, and I think Stramel may be only a couple of seasons away. 

[vonlonster67]

Our grit isn't going away anytime soon. Our team is going to emulate our GM Billy G. This year's draft clearly stated that path moving forward 

I know Evanson also shares that mentality and if he is ever replaced BG will continue the grit path.  Now obviously we have some better than average and elite talent coming, but the grit will remain and integrate with the talent.

BG changed the locker room for a reason, that was the beginning and bases for changing the culture.  All these young men moving forward will be drafted, chosen, selected,  traded for to continue this belief system. He's building the foundation, embrace it. How many times do we look back and say in amazement the moves that were questioned blossom into our advantage. 

Our identity is what BG believes in to get a Cup.    "IBGIT"

 

[Up North Guy]

5 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Stramel and Kumpulainen will be those big forwards in years to come, and I think Stramel may be only a couple of seasons away. 

I don't have a feeling for what Kump will do but i fully expect Stramel to play one more year at UW and then sign. I can see a one year (hopefully) spent in Iowa then moved up. Those years ahead are going to be the new "Golden Age" for Wild hockey.

[Protec]

Yurov would be smart to add size & strength for the NHL no matter what position he plays. The biggest, strongest guys are who you have to defend against in the NHL. That's so important because even if your guys have scoring talent they have to keep the puck out of their own net to win consistently.

[Mateo3xm]

8 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

I don't have a feeling for what Kump will do but i fully expect Stramel to play one more year at UW and then sign. I can see a one year (hopefully) spent in Iowa then moved up. Those years ahead are going to be the new "Golden Age" for Wild hockey.

Kump isn’t even projected to make the NHL because of his skating but ya never know what can happen.

I think MNfan is getting a little ahead of himself.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

15 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I personally think Yurov is Zuccarello's replacement.

What if Rossi is Zuccarello's replacement and they need a center for that line?

[mnfaninnc]

22 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

Our grit isn't going away anytime soon. Our team is going to emulate our GM Billy G. This year's draft clearly stated that path moving forward 

I know Evanson also shares that mentality and if he is ever replaced BG will continue the grit path.  Now obviously we have some better than average and elite talent coming, but the grit will remain and integrate with the talent.

BG changed the locker room for a reason, that was the beginning and bases for changing the culture.  All these young men moving forward will be drafted, chosen, selected,  traded for to continue this belief system. He's building the foundation, embrace it. How many times do we look back and say in amazement the moves that were questioned blossom into our advantage. 

I just don't believe this statement is true. When a team is iced and has a -$15m than other teams (and it was less in prior years), the team has to play a certain style with players who make less than tremendously skilled players. That's just the reality of the situation.

If you look at what Judd Brackett has brought us, under the direction of Guerin, you will find a lot of undersized skill players in the system. If you look at the filling out size of most of these players, you can certainly see that bulking up is not a priority. This was the result from before this year's draft where larger players started out the draft. Then Judd, Judded, and went after undersized players that need a lot of growth. 

I've been criticized for focusing on bulking up and weight too much, but the facts are simple: You must bulk up if you're going to play gritty. The game then becomes more of a scrum on the boards and in the corners, and strength in the front of the net. Judd isn't looking for those guys.

Judd's players are typically between 5'10" and 6'2", very smooth skaters, puck movers and high hockey IQ. He's looking for superstars in the mold of a Patrick Kane or Elias Pettersson, not someone like Ryan Getzlaf or Victor Hedman, or a Tkachuk. He doesn't even pretend to be balanced in this as Judd never goes after monstrous defenders who are 6'4" or above. 

The evidence then points to a team that will rely more on finesse and skill rather than grit. And, to Judd's benefit, he has brought in several prospects with a high skill level. But, this acquiring of talent does not even a little bit suggest that the "grit first" mentality will carry on. There might be an "oh, by the way, we have a few guys who can check" team, but the majority of what's coming is not the gritty way. 

This is especially alarming on defense, IMO, because Judd seems to only draft good skating, puck moving defenders. You need a defensive corps equipped for more than that. A great example of this is Aaron Pionk drafted in the 5th round. At this point, it's just throwing darts at the dart board, but Judd chose a guy who is 2 years overaged and is still 170 lbs. dripping wet. This is where you draft someone in the Soucy class, not another undersized, puck moving defender. 

Why doesn't Judd like those larger bodies? Likely because they do not skate smoothly right now. They recently grew and they're getting used to their new bodies. They still look a little clumsy. Judd doesn't like taking a chance on those types of prospects, and I think he's missing the boat pretty often. This is why Guerin has to trade for a Middleton and not develop one. 

My conclusion is that grit will be downgraded as we transition into skill. My hope is that we can remain somewhat balanced in this and are still able to have a heavy shift, but those shifts may be a jumbling of lines just to get 3 heavy players out there. I still don't know why we don't start home games with our heavy shifting personnel and get the crowd immediately into the games.

In the other part, you mention Evason and grit. My speculation is that this will be Evason's last year with another 1st round exit. Shooter will then tap his trophy coach.

[mnfaninnc]

19 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

I don't have a feeling for what Kump will do but i fully expect Stramel to play one more year at UW and then sign. I can see a one year (hopefully) spent in Iowa then moved up. Those years ahead are going to be the new "Golden Age" for Wild hockey.

The reason for saying 2 more is that I believe Stramel will opt to go the Faber route instead of the Iowa route. 2 years in Hastings' system will probably do wonders for Stramel. On an ELC, there are 9Xs reasons why you would want to be in the N rather than the A. I'd like to see Stramel play more games, like in the A. Now, if WI wins a National Championship this year (unlikely), that could change things for Stramel!

[mnfaninnc]

18 hours ago, Protec said:

Yurov would be smart to add size & strength for the NHL no matter what position he plays. The biggest, strongest guys are who you have to defend against in the NHL. That's so important because even if your guys have scoring talent they have to keep the puck out of their own net to win consistently.

For some reason, I trust the Russian players more in this aspect than the Western Euro guys. I suspect that both Khus%^& and Yurov come over pretty ripped! Some of our Iowa boys that have been taking gym days off are going to be in for a big surprise!

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

Kump isn’t even projected to make the NHL because of his skating but ya never know what can happen.

I think MNfan is getting a little ahead of himself.

Kumpulainen's skating will improve dramatically. Of course there are no scouting reports on how he was skating prior to his growth spurt. All of that is speculative, but large Swedish/Finnish guys tend to be able to handle the blades just fine.

He may not remain at center, though.

[mnfaninnc]

9 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

What if Rossi is Zuccarello's replacement and they need a center for that line?

If Rossi then converts to wing in that spot, then I'd probably put Ek up on the top line. I could definitely see an all Russian line with Yurov-Khus-Kaprizov. For me, Rossi's got to work really hard to earn the top line wing. We've got so much skill coming, it's going to be such a change in style.

Now, if Rossi remains in the middle and is that playmaker for Kaprizov, that would leave the top line wing open. Boldy or Yurov could take that. I suspect Yurov would be a little away from that since he hasn't played much for 2 seasons. So, you could put Boldy up there and stick Yurov next to Ek and maybe Ohgren? Or have a 3rd line with Khus-Gaudreau and Ohgren? Then have a 4th line of Foligno-Dewar-Duhaime? 

Edited July 31, 2023 by mnfaninnc

[mnfaninnc]

In other news, looks like Jeremy Swayman took his case to the arbitrators. He was asking for $4.8m, Boston $2m. Most are expecting this to go similar to Samsonov's deal, maybe a little less since Swayman is a little younger in age and in the league. 

Interestingly, in an article I read, the GMs do not consider Oettinger and Knight contracts as comparables because the situation was different. Neither player was arbitration eligible when they signed them, which meant a different situation. While that seems like a technicality, it will be the same technicality that Guerin will point out with Gustavsson.

If this case goes the way I think it will, with Swayman getting somewhere between $3.3m and $3.4m, I think we sign Goose2 this week for somewhere around $3.2m without arbitration. Might even be a 2 year deal. I still think it is an overpayment, but getting the 2nd year at that price might be worth it. 

Now, if the arbitrators go lower on Swayman, that could open up a can of worms against Goose2, since Swayman's numbers are a little better overall. We should be close to the exchange of numbers for Goose2. I'm guessing he'll be asking for the same $4.8m. I wonder what Guerin's number is?

[B1GKappa97]

On 7/30/2023 at 7:50 AM, mnfaninnc said:

I saw this possibility from a scouting report earlier in the season, not a Wild scout. They thought Yurov's game could easily transition to him being a center over here. His skating and hockey IQ were listed as the main reasons. 

It's nice to have options who can play center, but I personally think Yurov is Zuccarello's replacement. Now, if we get back to Evason's "no positions" creation and continue with the F1, 2, 3 thought, having other guys who can play center would be interesting. 

Or they could kick Rossi out to wing as a Zooky replacement. Then you've got a trio of Rossi-Yurov-Kaprizov and it allows you to keep some speed on the 2nd line for Boldy by possibly replacing Mojo with Khusnutdinov (or maybe Beckman/Walker finally reach their top-6 potential?)

Or swap Khusnutdinov and Rossi and just have a full trio of Russians while allowing Boldy and Rossi to try and recapture that AHL magic (with Ek showing Rossi how playing as a top-6 NHL center is done.) 

That'll leave the 3rd line C role open for Stramel when he graduates from the AHL and we will finally have enough cap space that we can just fill in the rest of the roster relatively easily whether with UFAs or prospects. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by B1GKappa97

[Imyourhuckleberry]

On 7/31/2023 at 9:56 AM, mnfaninnc said:

If this case goes the way I think it will, with Swayman getting somewhere between $3.3m and $3.4m, I think we sign Goose2 this week for somewhere around $3.2m without arbitration. Might even be a 2 year deal. I still think it is an overpayment, but getting the 2nd year at that price might be worth it. 

Swayman awarded 1-year, $3.475 million contract with Bruins -- arbitration ruling.

You weren't far off.  Guerin agreed with you that a bit more money on a 3-year deal was better than getting below the $3.5M level in arbitration.

[vonlonster67]

On 7/29/2023 at 10:59 AM, Up North Guy said:

Yurov could truly be a wildcard down the line. His development is really being stunted in Russia. Hopefully that doesn't happen again this year. If it does, he will need a minimum of a year in Iowa and possibly two.

UNG, that's the exciting piece about Yurov! He's been riding the bench for a majority of his KHL career, but has been lights out when on the ice in limited opportunities. 

Yurov has endured the pressure applied to him and resisted the long term contract signing with his Russian team. I have to give the kid credit to hold out, only signing a one year contract so he can come stateside next year. He's the real deal and if he spends a year in IA that will be max.

KK and him are in contact and with Khusnutdinov coming too they could be our first line of the future with the ability to slide Yurov to 2C depending on what D we face. 

Gonna be a good day!!!!

 

[mnfaninnc]

15 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

UNG, that's the exciting piece about Yurov! He's been riding the bench for a majority of his KHL career, but has been lights out when on the ice in limited opportunities. 

Yurov has endured the pressure applied to him and resisted the long term contract signing with his Russian team. I have to give the kid credit to hold out, only signing a one year contract so he can come stateside next year. He's the real deal and if he spends a year in IA that will be max.

Let's say there continues to be pressure on Yurov to sign again longterm. Enough pressure to affect his TOI. Since there is no agreement between the NHL and KHL, could Yurov, essentially say, "bag this, I'm headed to the US" around, say, December?  

He could spend half a year in the A and be better prepared to compete the following season for a roster spot. I have no idea if there could be retribution on his family if he did such a thing? 

Does Shooter have a Guido that can safely get him over?

[vonlonster67]

22 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Let's say there continues to be pressure on Yurov to sign again longterm. Enough pressure to affect his TOI. Since there is no agreement between the NHL and KHL, could Yurov, essentially say, "bag this, I'm headed to the US" around, say, December?  

He could spend half a year in the A and be better prepared to compete the following season for a roster spot. I have no idea if there could be retribution on his family if he did such a thing? 

Does Shooter have a Guido that can safely get him over?

Gotta believe they have some relationship with Metallurg Magnitogorsk if he came here for Dev Camp.

I would expect BG will keep a good relationship with the KHL considering we have Khusnutdinov playing there also. No need to rush Yurov as he's already coming early at age 20.

After what happen with KK, they have to have a dignitary assisting them, obviously for 🤑.