Article: Is Danila Yurov A Better Prospect Than Marco Rossi?

[Tony Abbott]

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[Citizen Strife]

I couldn't give two shits about how Yurov plays in Russia.  I didn't give a shit about Kaprizov, Boldy, or Faber's hype until they played in green either.  Same with Rossi.

Rossi has scored 40 pts for the Wild, with Wild players, up and down the lineup.  In most cases, he was usually the driving force of the line unless he was with Kaprizov and Boldy.  Then, it was almost even, or at best, he did what he was supposed to do and carry his weight and not fuck up.  There's every chance Rossi gets better, or has a slump.  You just don't know.  That's how competition works.

If Yurov ends up better than Rossi, that's a good problem for Guerin to have.  That's two guys who hit, making up for prospects who didn't.  For all we know, Yurov and Rossi play together, making each other better.  I'll just wait to see what Yurov does if or when he puts on a Wild sweater.

[Pewterschmidt]

Yurov's physicality is a 5, and that's his lowest score.

If this is a Nojo 5 there's cause for concern.  If this is a Petterssson (VAN) 5, no problem

[Pewterschmidt]

His skating and puckhandling merit a 6.5 grade, which falls just short of that high-end grade.

He's not a 7-9?  Can we plug this data point into the hype machine?

and his skating, hockey sense, and compete level as "NHL average."

Not bad, but not quite the 2nd coming

Edited August 29 by Pewterschmidt

[MrCheatachu]

Oh Conman...

Analysis of Rossi 2023:

Quote

Rossi made Minnesota out of camp but struggled to stay in the lineup. He was good in the AHL in the second half and then at the World Championships for Austria. Rossi is a very intelligent center who can create a lot for his teammates through his excellent offensive creativity and vision. He can create in transition and from a standstill running a power play. Rossi struggled at times in the NHL due to his frame and as a good-but-not-great skater. But he showed at the worlds he can play versus men due to his compete and skill and as a good enough skater. I think with time, the same will happen in the NHL and he could be a top-six forward — if he stays down the middle it’s likely more of the 2C variety.

Analysis of Rossi in 2024:

Quote

Rossi had a productive season with the Wild, scoring 40 points. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent center. He can run a power play off the flank and has the vision to make a lot of tough plays to teammates. He isn’t that big, but he plays with courage. He gets to the net to create offense and wins back a surprising number of pucks versus men for his size. His skating isn’t great, though, for his frame. He’s shifty but not fast, and he’ll need to score more to be an asset given those limitations. Rossi projects as a third-line center or second-line wing who can help a power play

[Citizen Strife]

Maybe Pronman needed Rossi to hit 50-60 points in a single season to hit the mythical 2C label.  I mean, if he hits that this coming season, I'll be happy.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

He has Rossi(#3), Wallstedt(#4), and Yurov(#5) all relatively even in his tier of, "Bubble top and middle of the lineup player", so could fall on either side of that. You could scramble all 3 of them and argue who's ahead in that 3-man category, but it all comes down to preference.

Buium and Faber are ahead of all 3 in his NHL All-star and Top of Lineup Player tiers. He doesn't project either of them having players ahead of them for the top line.

I think it's fair to say Rossi is ahead in his NHL ability, having already delivered a solid season at age 22(turns 23 before th season), but I'd rank Yurov higher on potential, moving Rossi to 4th or 5th. Wallstedt turns 22 late this year and Yurov turns 21 in December.

In points/60 minutes 5v5(minimum 12 games), Rossi finished inside the top 200 forwards, along with Kaprizov, Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Hartman, Zuccarello, and Foligno. Rossi was just outside the top 180, 1 spot ahead of Mikael Granlund.

Rossi was ahead of only Foligno in that list above, but a solid top 6 finish among Wild forwards. Given that Yurov is besting Kaprizov's numbers in the KHL at equivalent ages, I think it's reasonable to anticipate he might be a top 5 Wild forward once he arrives.

Kaprizov was immediately the best player on the team at age 23, and it would absolutely be wrong to think Yurov will be at his level, particularly at age 21 starting next season, but it wouldn't be completely shocking to see him develop into a top 180 player before age 22 and be a top line player before age 25.

[Protec]

Did Russo or Pronman ever play hockey? Nothing personal but my opinion of hockey writers is not that sweet. 

This kind of opinion stuff is good for clicks and discussions but meaningless in the big scope. It highly qualifies as counting chickens before they hatch. Yes, some players have shown enough to deserve some hype but we've all seen examples of both failure and success by blue-chip, 18yo kids and blue-collar, late-round nobody's. 

Since four Summers ago, only last year did we get a taste of Guerin/Brackett prospects. I don't care what ranking the Wild's pool is given, or by who. It's set in stone, these are who they picked. McBain McBailed on the Wild, and WHL or OHL leaders don't get ordained NHL all-stardom. 

Toronto still can't win when it counts, with top picks coming out their ears. We can watch the moves play out and hope for the best. It's a roll of the dice and you gotta catch a break sometimes. Philly trading #12 overall this last year seemed like a goofy idea but hey we'll see. 

 

[Pewterschmidt]

30 minutes ago, Protec said:

McBain McBailed on the Wild

🏅

[Pewterschmidt]

35 minutes ago, Protec said:

Did Russo or Pronman ever play hockey? Nothing personal but my opinion of hockey writers is not that sweet. 

This kind of opinion stuff is good for clicks and discussions but meaningless in the big scope.

Hallelujah.  Russo is more Sid Hartman gossip columnist than great hockey mind.  That's not meant to be an insult to Russo because bro has been putting in the work for years and even though I can't make sense of it he's really the only real hockey reporter in the State of Hockey.

But if I'm looking for a ranking of our prospect pool I'd rather get Ryan Carter's opinion than maybe anyone else.  Cart's know's his shtuff.

Edited August 29 by Pewterschmidt

[Patrick]

I've mentioned it before and I will probably mention it again but...Rossi is a mirror image of Brad Marchand at this point in his career.  I'm not saying he will develop into Marchand but he definitely has a chance. Intelligence and work ethic are there....

[OldDutchChip]

if Yurov is in fact 5th rated prospect, this is going to hurt Wild. the hype machine was in full force this summer saying how he is the next big russian import and now he is below Rossi? no no this is not what we were expecting! shit he was THE one great russian after michkov who is not yet in NHL (and michkov is here so he is now the ONLY one at this point on top) his game also translates much better to NHL than Michkov's with his built and drive and he just broke KHL records right? .....and now 5th? cause he is not as good as our little Rossi? HA this is a debacle if its true. based on outcomes and hype he should have landed at worse - second spot, right after faber (i'd actually throw out faber from the list , cause he is obv no longer a prospect, but whatever). so if true - this is a nightmare for our offensive prospect line. 

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, Patrick said:

I've mentioned it before and I will probably mention it again but...Rossi is a mirror image of Brad Marchand at this point in his career.  I'm not saying he will develop into Marchand but he definitely has a chance. Intelligence and work ethic are there....

how is he a mirror image of one of the game's toughest player to play against and fantastic skill wise too. i am really curious? was Marchand timid, and knocked around? 

i could say this - 

Rossi is a mirror image of Igor Larionov at this point in his career. I'm not saying he will develop into Larionov but he definitely has a chance. Intelligence and work ethic are there....

 

Edited August 29 by OldDutchChip

[mnfaninnc]

3 hours ago, Patrick said:

I've mentioned it before and I will probably mention it again but...Rossi is a mirror image of Brad Marchand at this point in his career.  I'm not saying he will develop into Marchand but he definitely has a chance. Intelligence and work ethic are there....

but, for Rossi to get to Marchand level, he's got to lick someone's face!

[Need4speed99]

I'm going to double down with Tony andCitizen, it doesn't really matter until they are showing it in a wild sweater.

At this point rossi has shown he's capable at an nhl level. He has the edge. Now, he could regress but I think he's going to get better opportunities within the lineup and (I truly hope) continue to progress.

Yurov could very well come over and look like the next tarasenko or kk (which is what I hope) at thar point he exceeds rossi depending on if and how much rossi progresses. Ultimately I don't care which ends up being better if they both end up as top 6 or, dream scenario, superstars. The latter is a big ask but I try to be optimistic(not my usual take on things mn sports).

As for Russo, I like him. I have followed him along time when he was just breaking in with the strib. I always thought he was a straight shooter and did more to actually report to the fans. To compare him to sid, the biggest brown noser and egotist is an insult.

I remember reading and exerp many years ago with Brian Rolston saying he respected Russo and the fact that Russo didn't sugarcoat it. They played great, he would tell them. When they didn't, like it or not, he would call them out. 

I've liked reading/hearing his thoughts. Along with Lou nanne, Carter, and now tony. You can disagree a ton and still be a huge fan. I wished all mn beatwriters were more blunt than being brown nosers but not when it is not necessary.

[mnfaninnc]

I'm not particularly fond of the model, essentially because if you're not a rookie anymore that's not really a prospect. But, according to the logic, under 23s who have experience should be rated higher. For instance, my top 3 would be Faber, Rossi, Wallstedt, simply because all 3 have debuted. You could also make a case that Hunt should be rated in the top 13. It's a fine line between what has been produced and what is potential. 

Now, if we are only grading potential and using the balance sheet approach where this is a snap shot in time, then you have to go with who's most ready to make the N. Again, Faber and Rossi have to top that list. The Wall probably makes it too, as I expect him up more often this season. Next on the list I'd stick Buium and Yurov. That's a terrific top 5. 

But, who really cares about the list? Seriously, it's a nice reminder about who's in the pipeline, but until they start making it to the N, doing what is necessary to physically be N ready, and improving their skills anyone can come from anywhere to make the team. Who had Duhaime on their radar to make it? Mikey Milne could follow that same trajectory this season. 

I do like how they rank Bankier, though. That shows he has more promise than we thought. Another interesting snub is a Rieger Lorenz. It appears that what is being rated here aren't players who will make the N in their prospective roles, but who puts up the points. Lorenz and Stramel may very well be staples in the lineup, though they play on the 3rd line, an important line. Or, maybe we install a top line, 2 2nd lines and a shutdown 4th line? (a concept I've been wanting for a long time). You just keep rolling the lines, except for line 4 gets the opponent's top line and neutralizes them.

On defense, I think we have some good prospects. However, we are starting to get to the point of which current players do we keep (longterm) and which do we let go? Midsy has something none of the others have: size. You need a couple of guys like that on your roster, even if one of them is a 7th. The guys coming up do not have great size yet. They've got to get decent size to battle. And then, which ones do we trade out to get what we need? Some of these prospects are great to have in the pipeline and may very well be N players, just not in green.

[Pewterschmidt]

5 hours ago, Patrick said:

I've mentioned it before and I will probably mention it again but...Rossi is a mirror image of Brad Marchand at this point in his career.  I'm not saying he will develop into Marchand but he definitely has a chance. Intelligence and work ethic are there....

I assume you mean simply the stats?  Not necessarily style of play?

[Protec]

Look at Rempe, not a stats king. Faber wasn't a huge scorer but became a top 3 player for the Wild almost immediately. Soucy crept up in the past. You get the pleasure of waiting to see. At least the Sokolov or Khovanov type Russians have been replaced with some legit KHL studs cause that was pretty shifty looking back.

Fair to ranks team's prospect pools every Summer. Once National writers begin ranking individuals, you're entering the fluff-zone if you asked me.

[mnhockeyfan03]

Rossi still has a lot to show and work to do.  Let’s see him go into a corner and lay a hit instead of trying to do a little bump and also come away with the puck.  After the hit if he doesn’t come away with the puck let’s see him catch back up to the play.  Last year if he was in the corner he wasn’t fast enough to catch back up to the play.  His first 5-10 steps are not fast.  Will see what sort of work he has put in this offseason.  He needs to hit and not just bump people and get back up to speed fast.  That will make him a much more valuable player.  I am not high on Rossi but he can prove me wrong but needs to show it against the better big physical teams. We are building this team for the playoffs not the regular season. 

[Citizen Strife]

https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-statement-on-the-passing-of-johnny-gaudreau

Not Wild related, but still...what the fuck.  Apparently he and his brother were hit by an oncoming car while out cycling last night.  This really sucks for Columbus, and the NHL as a whole.

 

[WheelSnipeCelly]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Not Wild related, but still...what the fuck.  Apparently he and his brother were hit by an oncoming car while out cycling last night.  This really sucks for Columbus, and the NHL as a whole.

Ugh, absolutely devastating. I just read on the Athletic that their sister's wedding is supposed to be today too. So heartbreaking. 

[mnfaninnc]

10 hours ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Rossi still has a lot to show and work to do.  Let’s see him go into a corner and lay a hit instead of trying to do a little bump and also come away with the puck.  After the hit if he doesn’t come away with the puck let’s see him catch back up to the play.  Last year if he was in the corner he wasn’t fast enough to catch back up to the play.  His first 5-10 steps are not fast.  Will see what sort of work he has put in this offseason.  He needs to hit and not just bump people and get back up to speed fast.  That will make him a much more valuable player.  I am not high on Rossi but he can prove me wrong but needs to show it against the better big physical teams. We are building this team for the playoffs not the regular season. 

I love big hits, probably more than anyone here. But to put a requirement like this on Rossi I think is a little overkill. There's a difference between flybys, which I cannot stand, and bumps to knock a guy off balance, and then just creaming a guy in the corner (which still had not happened to Morrissey for the Staal cross check). Flybys are inexcusable, but it a player can bump a guy off balance and steal the puck, I have no problem with that, and I've seen Rossi do it. He's got the leverage to pop someone like that too.

But, for the real big hits, guys need to be a little further up the scale, like in the Ek class, or even the Foligno class of players. On a different topic, this is exactly the problem that O'Rourke has run into. He wants to play a game that needs an Ek class type body and is trying to use a Beckman class body to do it. There is only 1 outcome here, injury. It would be one thing if he was playing like Spurgeon's height and that weight, but he's not, he's playing a little taller than Faber is. 

This is why we need guys like Foligno, Trenin, Lauko, Middleton and Bogosian. They can change the course of a game and momentum with a big hit. Our home crowd cheers wildly when the big hits come. It gets the whole bench awake. We haven't used this tactic enough, IMO, but I think Heinzy likes to use it more than Evason did. 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-statement-on-the-passing-of-johnny-gaudreau

Not Wild related, but still...what the fuck.  Apparently he and his brother were hit by an oncoming car while out cycling last night.  This really sucks for Columbus, and the NHL as a whole.

I saw the headline which didn't mention the star player. What a tremendous hit for CBJ. 😥 One of the most used cliches is that nobody cries over another team's troubles. I think this is an exception.

While sadness still follows, and I don't mean to be insensitive, and perhaps this is even the wrong time to ask the question, what happens with his contract? Does CBJ eat the whole thing and send it to the family? Does he get LTIR'd for the remainder or does this just fall off their balance sheet? 

Likely, the team is insured for such a disaster, and the salary gets paid that way, but still, you never want to ever have to use that insurance! 

I remember how devastating it was when Corey Stringer died in Vikings' training camp. Torpedoed the whole season. The team really never recovered that year. I believe the Vikings had to eat the whole contract against their cap. Now, this is a little different because it happened on the player's own time, not team related, so I wonder how that gets handled in the CBA?

[mnhockeyfan03]

23 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I love big hits, probably more than anyone here. But to put a requirement like this on Rossi I think is a little overkill. There's a difference between flybys, which I cannot stand, and bumps to knock a guy off balance, and then just creaming a guy in the corner (which still had not happened to Morrissey for the Staal cross check). Flybys are inexcusable, but it a player can bump a guy off balance and steal the puck, I have no problem with that, and I've seen Rossi do it. He's got the leverage to pop someone like that too.

But, for the real big hits, guys need to be a little further up the scale, like in the Ek class, or even the Foligno class of players. On a different topic, this is exactly the problem that O'Rourke has run into. He wants to play a game that needs an Ek class type body and is trying to use a Beckman class body to do it. There is only 1 outcome here, injury. It would be one thing if he was playing like Spurgeon's height and that weight, but he's not, he's playing a little taller than Faber is. 

This is why we need guys like Foligno, Trenin, Lauko, Middleton and Bogosian. They can change the course of a game and momentum with a big hit. Our home crowd cheers wildly when the big hits come. It gets the whole bench awake. We haven't used this tactic enough, IMO, but I think Heinzy likes to use it more than Evason did. 

Agree I am not talking big hits just being physical.  I saw many fly bys last year or just half effort hits.  Against big strong teams as well I saw them just push him out of the way and he would fall down.  That’s what I want to see an improvement on and also more speed to catch up from behind. 

[Patrick]

13 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I assume you mean simply the stats?  Not necessarily style of play?

Stats, height and weight are virtual identical.