Jump to content
Hockey Wilderness

  • Marat Khusnutdinov Might Be Coming Before End Of Season

    Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
    Thomas Williams

    By Thomas Williams -

    The Minnesota Wild might be getting a fairly good prospect in the NHL before the end of the regular season.

    In The Athletic's Michael Russo's latest mailbag, when asked a question about which Wild prospect would next make an impact, he gave some extra information about what the team might be thinking about one Marat Khusnutdinov.

    "Danila Yurov has star potential, and I’m sensing the Wild may sign Marat Khusnutdinov after his season ends Feb. 25, burn the first year of his entry-level contract and start him right away in the NHL. He has 16 points in 38 games for KHL Sochi (three points in a game Sunday), can play wing and center and has a ton of pro experience already at 21, so it would make sense for the Wild to get a head start on seeing what they have in him heading into next season."

    As Russo reports, the centerman is on a fairly bad KHL team in HC Sochi, so playoffs probably aren't happening and the regular season ending in less than a month means that the player could come over even before the NHL trade deadline hits. If they think he's ready for the big leagues, that's extremely exciting.

    The only question is about who will be coming out of the lineup. But, as we mentioned the trade deadline isn't until a week after Khusnutdinov could be coming over and someone like Patrick Maroon could find himself on a different team by then.

    That's Wild

    • More than any transaction at the trade deadline on March 8, the Wild need a reality check. [Hockey Wilderness]
    • Also included in Russo's mailbag are details about the Declan Chisholm waiver claim and how the Wild view him as an NHL talent, some next contracts, and much more. [The Athletic]

    Off the trail...

    • The five players facing charges of sexual assault in connection to the incident at a Hockey Canada gala for the 2018 World Juniors team, have been named. [TSN]
    • If the Nashville Predators decide to trade Juuse Saros, here are four possible destinations. [Daily Faceoff]
    • Some NHL players are miraculously playing well into their late-30's. [The Hockey News]
    By Thomas Williams  

    Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.

    • Thanks 1
    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Featured Comments

    B1GKappa97

    Pronman released his mid-season rankings for the upcoming draft. Just want to highlight this bit of the opening paragraph:

    Quote

    The projected No. 1 pick, Macklin Celebrini, is a strong first-overall candidate, with a very good chance to be a star No. 1 center in the league. There are also four defense prospects in this draft who I think at least have a chance to be a No. 1 defenseman in the NHL. There are two other excellent center prospects behind Celebrini as well. That combination of talent leads to a strong top of the draft at premium positions and potential building blocks for rebuilding organizations. 

    Emphasis mine, but based on what he's feeling it sounds like the best spot to be in this draft is somewhere in the top-7. Currently, we're slated for 6! 

    So we either should be able to land a top-pairing defenseman to play next to Faber (and there are definitely a lot to be excited about at the top of this draft) for years or a potential top-6 C who can move Ek back down to the 3rd line or possibly kick Rossi out to wing!

    With Yurov due to come over in a couple seasons, and tearing up the KHL, our top-6 might be set if we land a potential top-line C like Cayden Lindstrom or a top-line sniper like Cole Eiserman.

    We aren't a rebuilding organization but getting another franchise cornerstone on this roster would be huge. I've never been so excited to miss the playoffs!

    I've never been so excited to not make the playoffs!! 

     

    • Like 4
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Citizen Strife

    The more the merrier.  I think the Dewey's and Maroon are on borrowed time if it means Khusnutdinov is coming early.  Rossi has already helped solidify a middle-6 role, with decent effect when called for top line duty.  Let's hope this is even more help.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    kapislife
    1 hour ago, B1GKappa97 said:

    Pronman released his mid-season rankings for the upcoming draft. Just want to highlight this bit of the opening paragraph:

    Emphasis mine, but based on what he's feeling it sounds like the best spot to be in this draft is somewhere in the top-7. Currently, we're slated for 6! 

    So we either should be able to land a top-pairing defenseman to play next to Faber (and there are definitely a lot to be excited about at the top of this draft) for years or a potential top-6 C who can move Ek back down to the 3rd line or possibly kick Rossi out to wing!

    With Yurov due to come over in a couple seasons, and tearing up the KHL, our top-6 might be set if we land a potential top-line C like Cayden Lindstrom or a top-line sniper like Cole Eiserman.

    We aren't a rebuilding organization but getting another franchise cornerstone on this roster would be huge. I've never been so excited to miss the playoffs!

    I've never been so excited to not make the playoffs!! 

     

    I am in the Lindstrom camp. I would live another big center that can scoot

    • Like 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    mnfaninnc

    I like both Lindstrom and Saliyev. Both have mean streaks which we need. Both have skill and can play. I don't think Lindstrom is one of those guys ranked in the top 7 either. 

    There's another good RHS defender playing for MI State. He's 6'3" and over 200 lbs. Very good offensively, defensively is a work in progress. Putting him and Faber on the right side would lock up those positions for years to come. 

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    B1GKappa97
    2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    I like both Lindstrom and Saliyev. Both have mean streaks which we need. Both have skill and can play. I don't think Lindstrom is one of those guys ranked in the top 7 either. 

    Depends on the scout.  Sportsnet has him at 14, Pronman has him at 5, Wheeler has him at 11, Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News has him at 3, NHL Central Scouting has him as the 3rd best North American skater and since the top of their International list is Helenius (who most have below Lindstrom) I imagine that's where he is on their complete board as well. 

    Given how much NHL teams favor size and the C position high in the draft, I definitely do not see him falling out of the top-5 even with the high-end blue-liners.

    Which is fine because then a top-pairing defenseman lands right into our lap >:) 

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Pewterschmidt
    1 hour ago, Protec said:

    Knudi-Knudi-Knudi!!! (Rhymes with Rudy)

    5' nothin, hundred and nuthin! Let's go!!!

    Some times you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!

    I hope K-nut is fast at that size.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Protec

    ^^^

    MN had Dino once before. That was pretty okay. Similarities? Marat kinda looks like a Russian Buccaneer or something. MN doesn't have anybody wearing #22 at the moment right? 

    Just got done with the KHL already and join the Wild. We got beat by the Ducks for crying out loud...

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

×
×
  • Create New...