Wild Officially Sign Marat Khusnutdinov To ELC

So Marat is the russian version of Jason Zucker?? Here's hoping he's a mini-Zuccy instead! It does look like he has mainly been an assist-machine in the KHL and not a goal-scorer.

FWIW, Dobberprospects projects him as a middle-6'er so maybe we'll see him take MoJo's spot sooner than later. Put this dude with Rossi! 

https://dobberprospects.com/player/marat-khusnutdinov/

19 minutes ago, B1GKappa97 said:

so maybe we'll see him take MoJo's spot sooner than later.

Prayers would be answered if that happens.

The Wild need a new Zuccarello when the old one retires or leaves...so, good enough for me.  2nd line winger-3rd line center with some scoring punch (similar to Rossi already) would be just fine in my book.

5 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

The Wild need a new Zuccarello when the old one retires or leaves...so, good enough for me.  2nd line winger-3rd line center with some scoring punch (similar to Rossi already) would be just fine in my book.

If he IS another slick-passing Zuccy.. maybe they let him play top-line minutes with Kaprizov down the stretch and slide Boldy back to the second line to spread out the scoring talent a bit? 

Wonder if he'll start on the 4th line to replace Duhaime once he's traded, then possibly bump up once he's up to speed. I guess they have Shaw as well.

Don't think Dino will jump right into the top 6, but exciting to see him on his way. I imagine Lucchini will be heading back to Iowa once Dino arrives.

K-nut acquired, now throw the cash at yurov! Get him over here!

DINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure someone has a Dino gif they can post. I'd really love for the X to be chanting his name next home game. Give him a huge welcome, it won't go unnoticed in Metallurg!

I was curious about the 2-year ELC, I thought at 21, he still qualified for the 3-year ELC?

While replacing Johansson might be a good move, I'd like to see a Shaw-Dewar-Dino line together and see what they could do. That could be a lot of speed and shiftiness, and all 3 players, while short, are tough to handle. 

How long does a work visa take? What I really mean is how long does it take for a Wild player?

Any news on what number he will wear?

Any news on Maroon/Foligno?

6 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

DINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure someone has a Dino gif they can post. I'd really love for the X to be chanting his name next home game. Give him a huge welcome, it won't go unnoticed in Metallurg!

I was curious about the 2-year ELC, I thought at 21, he still qualified for the 3-year ELC?

While replacing Johansson might be a good move, I'd like to see a Shaw-Dewar-Dino line together and see what they could do. That could be a lot of speed and shiftiness, and all 3 players, while short, are tough to handle. 

How long does a work visa take? What I really mean is how long does it take for a Wild player?

Any news on what number he will wear?

Any news on Maroon/Foligno?

I saw that they assigned him number 22

4 minutes ago, NC Beach Bum said:

I saw that they assigned him number 22

I thought that was reserved for Swiss players only! 😉

52 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

DINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure someone has a Dino gif they can post. I'd really love for the X to be chanting his name next home game. Give him a huge welcome, it won't go unnoticed in Metallurg!

I was curious about the 2-year ELC, I thought at 21, he still qualified for the 3-year ELC?

While replacing Johansson might be a good move, I'd like to see a Shaw-Dewar-Dino line together and see what they could do. That could be a lot of speed and shiftiness, and all 3 players, while short, are tough to handle. 

How long does a work visa take? What I really mean is how long does it take for a Wild player?

Any news on what number he will wear?

Any news on Maroon/Foligno?

#22 I believe.

BG says he hopes he's here by the end of next week. A shorter time period than I thought.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I was curious about the 2-year ELC, I thought at 21, he still qualified for the 3-year ELC?

Quote

Players younger than 25 (28 if they are considered a European player) years of age, as of September 15 during the year of their first NHL contract must sign an entry-level contract (ELC). - Cap Friendly

Perhaps the July birthday for Khusnutdinov requires his to be a 2-year deal since he will be 22 prior to September 15th of the year in which he is signing this first contract.

I'm still wrapping my head around this stuff as well. I believe it would be 3 years for Yurov when he's age 21 because he doesn't age up until December.

34 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

#22 I believe.

BG says he hopes he's here by the end of next week. A shorter time period than I thought.

Well, the end of next week is the TDL, so it will be interesting if we make a move (Duhaime, ???) before / as he arrives.

That September 15th date does seem to be crucial in determining player age for ELCs. More info from Cap Friendly:

Quote

What is an Entry Level Slide?

If a player who is signed to an entry-level contract and is 18 or 19 years of age (as of September 15 of the signing year), does not play in a minimum of 10 NHL games (including both regular season and playoffs; AHL games do not count), their contract is considered to ‘slide’, or extend, by one year. For example, if a player signed an ELC for three seasons from 2015-16 to 2017-2018, and their contract slides, their contract is now effective from 2016-17 to 2018-19. An exception to this rule is that if the player is 19 on September 15 of the first year of their contract, and turns 20 between September 16 and December 31, their contract does not slide.

 

 

The length of the entry-level contract is also dependent on the player’s age:

• 18-21 years of age: 3 years
• 22-23 years of age: 2 years
• 24 years of age (and up to 27 years of age for European players): 1 year

With Khusnutdinov turning 22 prior to September 15th of the year he is signing his deal, it appears that the 2-year deal is the standard, even though he'd be 21 when he actually signed the contract.

I don't see anything explicitly indicating that. That's my interpretation given all of the details listed there, and the contract details above for Dino. I like those indications that he'll be getting here fast after getting that deal locked in!

I thought a few seasons ago that Khusnutdinov was the perfect fill-in for the end of this season and either trade Zuccarello or let him walk in free agency. But, alas, BG likes older guys.

Nashville looking to close the door on the Wild's playoff hopes tonight, and create some separation in the standings, but Minnesota looking to kick that door open wide. Should be some intensity in this one.

I want to see the Hobbit Line with Zuccarello, Rossi and Khusnutdinov.

32 minutes ago, MercuryMack said:

I want to see the Hobbit Line with Zuccarello, Rossi and Khusnutdinov.

I kind of don't.  The reason why we struggle against certain teams is because they are better at knocking our smaller players around.  It's the reason why the Zuccarello - Rossi - Kaprizov line seemed to really struggle at times.  Kaprizov had to be the puck possession guy more rather than finding spots to score.  Boldy and Ek give him freedom to find shooting lanes while also having multiple scorers, especially when Boldy asserts himself in the slot.

While Khusnutdinov might be tenacious and quick, I think putting Zuccarello - Rossi - Khusnutdinov together won't be as fruitful.  I'm fine with Johansson being demoted, but I think a full small puck line isn't going to work very well.  It's going to take Yurov I think to have a solid 2nd line that doesn't spend their whole time on the ice getting knocked off the puck.

So it looks like Marat is going to play C according to a BG interview.

Odd man out?

I'm guessing we move Dewar and Duhaime by the 8th.

More than anything, I think this is Guerin's signal to Yurov to come over and he'll make room if a player is ready.  Yurov may still be questioning whether he can fit on the roster, but if he sees Khusnutdinov make it, maybe it will be clearer that he could too.

49 minutes ago, MercuryMack said:

I want to see the Hobbit Line with Zuccarello, Rossi and Khusnutdinov.

Lil Tykes line

1 hour ago, raithis said:

More than anything, I think this is Guerin's signal to Yurov to come over and he'll make room if a player is ready.  Yurov may still be questioning whether he can fit on the roster, but if he sees Khusnutdinov make it, maybe it will be clearer that he could too.

I hope it's a message to the sleds (Freddie and Nojo) that they can be replaced.

5 hours ago, B1GKappa97 said:

So Marat is the russian version of Jason Zucker??

Nah...I heard he plays defense.

Khuuuuuuuusnuuuuuutdiiiiiiiiinovvvvvv!!!

I don't know if anyone caught this on the broadcast last night. They had the measurables for Dino on a card: 5'11" 176. I'm not sure how official that is, but if memory serves me correctly, he is 2" taller and about 11-16 lbs. heavier than when drafted. While I'd still like to see more strength/weight on the kid, a guy with that speed should be able to function well at that weight. 

How is his edge work? That will be the determining factor in his effectiveness. If he has that elite speed and can turn and cut quickly in top gear, that will drive defenders nuts! I could see he and Rossi being training buddies this summer!