The Wild Must Create A Home Away From Home For Kaprizov

Kirill Kaprizov first came to Minnesota during unique circumstances. Mid-pandemic and not confident in his English, Kaprizov has taken a few years to blossom and show his personality. Despite a language barrier, Mats Zuccarello and Matt Dumba helped Kaprizov by taking him under their wing. Now, it’s Kaprizov’s turn to do the same.

Kaprizov proves that the Wild’s strategy of drafting Russian players is a smart gamble. It doesn’t come without a cost, like delayed NHL entrance or lack of proper ice time for developing players. But when it works, it really works. After the success with Kaprizov, the Wild have a few more Russian prospects that look like they’ll fit in great in Minnesota, especially with Kaprizov’s help.

Marat Khusnutdinov has already charmed media and fans alike with his free use of English and uninhibited joking manner. Part of that might be easier because he’s had Kaprizov to mentor him. It started months ago when he and Kaprizov connected over video games. And living near Kaprizov, Khusnutdinov has a built-in buddy for anything he might need, even an on-the-fly translator for meetings with the coaching staff. 

Several other prospects are still in Russia. Danila Yurov is most likely signing for one more year in the KHL. But he visited Minnesota for the Prospect Camp last summer and saw how people welcomed Khusnutdinov, which might be the thing to guarantee a move to the United States for the young Russian.

Vladislav Firstov was playing in the AHL with the Iowa Wild when he and the team mutually agreed to let him return and play in Russia. There’s been no certain answer over whether he wants to stay in Russia or is open to returning to the United States. If the Wild can start a little Russian coalition in Minnesota, perhaps Firstov would be swayed to return to America.

We’ve seen how fun and useful it is for a little group of fellow countrymen to support each other on the team. The Swedish contingent, which was even stronger after last year’s rentals at trade deadlines, is still going strong with four players plus Jesper Wallstedt and a few other prospects in Iowa. Starting a Russian faction could be a great way to build a winning roster.

A shared language and help with a language that uses a totally different alphabet would make a strong case for Russian players to sign in Minnesota. If they value their teammates that much, it could also help them sign for a team-friendly deal.

Building a Russian community of hockey players around Kaprizov might motivate him to re-sign in Minnesota. Kaprizov likes the Twin Cities. He has talked frequently about it feeling a lot like home for him, and it would be hard for a Wild player to dislike the Xcel Center and all of the hockey-obsessed fans. But the more reasons the Wild organization can stack up to convince Kaprizov to re-sign, the better.

The Wild made Kaprizov an alternate captain this year, and he seems to have taken that responsibility and worn it with pride. He’s always been a leader on the ice. He’s considered a superstar because of his ability to put the team on his back, somehow find an even higher gear, and push to the finish.

In the same way, Kaprizov will know exactly how to make a Russian feel at home. Not only is he a “free taxi,” as Khusnutdinov quipped, but he can also show younger Russians where to buy familiar foods or other things that might help them feel more comfortable.

Getting Russian players out of Russia can be difficult. It can take time and doesn’t seem to be a cut-and-dry process. But after doing it twice, the Wild seem even more confident to continue building a Russian hockey community around Kaprizov.

There’s already a Mama Moose Foligno. Perhaps now there will also be a Papa Kirill to help the younger Russians.