Wilderness Walk: Khusnutdinov Traded In KHL

Dino's contract with KHL HC Sochi expires April 30, 2024. Based off playoff history of their success he'll be done when their season ends! 

7 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Dino's contract with KHL HC Sochi expires April 30, 2024. Based off playoff history of their success he'll be done when their season ends! 

Kaprizov getting the A is good to see.

Quote

With Spurgeon hurt, sidelined week-to-week with an upper-body injury suffered in the preseason, the Wild will actually start the season with three alternates. Joel Eriksson Ek will be the third.

I know a lot of people thought it could go to JEE. Either one is a good option, and it looks like it will be both for a little while.

13 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Based off playoff history of their success he'll be done when their season ends! 

Looks like they have been pretty bad since 18-19, but they have been winning so far this year(at least the close games--I see a negative goal differential).  It seems possible that they will be back in the playoffs this season.

2 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

Dino's contract with KHL HC Sochi expires April 30, 2024. Based off playoff history of their success he'll be done when their season ends! 

I'm not so sure. In 16 games so far this season, it looks like Sochi has almost as many wins as last year. Maybe they've got a better team. 

I've got to believe that Russian rich men are also fairly competitive. Sochi hasn't made the playoffs since '19. I think they're going to make a push this year, and aren't so concerned about a guy going to the US next year. Maybe they should be trading for Yurov too!

Some other news around the prospects:

• Unfortunately, Stramel hasn't scored any points in 2 games, but he has taken a couple of penalties. I'm really hoping he packed his offense this season.
• Kalem Parker managed to get himself traded after a couple of games. It looks like the trade may work out too.
• Firstov is still rolling, he leads our Russian contingent in scoring.

7 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'm not so sure. In 16 games so far this season, it looks like Sochi has almost as many wins as last year. Maybe they've got a better team. 

I've got to believe that Russian rich men are also fairly competitive. Sochi hasn't made the playoffs since '19. I think they're going to make a push this year, and aren't so concerned about a guy going to the US next year. Maybe they should be trading for Yurov too!

At least Dino gets to play with Michkov....

1 minute ago, vonlonster67 said:

At least Dino gets to play with Michkov....

That should help his statistics. Would love to see a Dino-Yurov-Michkov line. 

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

That should help his statistics. Would love to see a Dino-Yurov-Michkov line. 

Dont forget to watch Hunter Haight tonight....CHL Freeview

22 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Some other news around the prospects:

• Unfortunately, Stramel hasn't scored any points in 2 games, but he has taken a couple of penalties. I'm really hoping he packed his offense this season.
• Kalem Parker managed to get himself traded after a couple of games. It looks like the trade may work out too.
• Firstov is still rolling, he leads our Russian contingent in scoring.

 

It's early yet for Stramel, new system.

Parker already has a goal and apple with 4 penalty minutes in 3 games for Moose Jaw. I watched him at prospect camp/regular camp, he didn't look out of place for a 6th round pick. Bonus for you, 6'0 200#, right shooting D. 

Firstov, man this guy is a wildcard for the Wild? Will he ever return to the States anytime soon?

1 minute ago, vonlonster67 said:

Firstov, man this guy is a wildcard for the Wild? Will he ever return to the States anytime soon?

I've got to believe this guy is trade bait at this point. And, with the season so far (and his finish to last season), he'd be more than a sweetener or throw in. I'd suggest that if he keeps this pace up, Shooter will be fielding calls for him.

2 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

It's early yet for Stramel, new system.

Parker already has a goal and apple with 4 penalty minutes in 3 games for Moose Jaw. I watched him at prospect camp/regular camp, he didn't look out of place for a 6th round pick. Bonus for you, 6'0 200#, right shooting D. 

Firstov, man this guy is a wildcard for the Wild? Will he ever return to the States anytime soon?

1 minute ago, mnfaninnc said:

I've got to believe this guy is trade bait at this point. And, with the season so far (and his finish to last season), he'd be more than a sweetener or throw in. I'd suggest that if he keeps this pace up, Shooter will be fielding calls for him.

Not sure he fits our culture based on the IA experience, so good call on the trade!

Throwing away Firstov just because he didn't get along with a coach that the team ended up letting go would be silly, IMO. Lots of Russian players don't play in the AHL and prefer to play closer to home. 

9 minutes ago, Tony Abbott said:

Throwing away Firstov just because he didn't get along with a coach that the team ended up letting go would be silly, IMO. Lots of Russian players don't play in the AHL and prefer to play closer to home. 

I agree, we shouldn't get trade crazy yet on the Firstov front. Tim Army was not renewed for several reasons beyond Firstov and it was time for a younger coach to move in and build relationships with these prospects and get them set up for the culture up north with the big club. The IA WIld are going to be a hell of good team this year.

The whole Russian infusion could change the outlook of several players from Russia who are ready to play for the Wild. Now that KK is officially wearing the "A" he will be more than a phone call/text to players like Yurov.

Nutdi!! (Pronounced "nudie")

I watched the Hawks game against the Pens. Bedard is crazy talented but I am going to channel MnFann here and say he really needs to hit the weight room. He was getting almost rag dolled throughout the game. Of note to me, none of the Hawk vets really stood up for him.

18 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

Throwing away Firstov just because he didn't get along with a coach that the team ended up letting go would be silly, IMO. Lots of Russian players don't play in the AHL and prefer to play closer to home. 

I agree with you on this, and they make more money staying closer to home. However, Firstov is a little different since he attended U-Conn for 3 seasons. I'm not sure we'd be "throwing him away." I simply don't think his intention is to rejoin this organization. I believe he would welcome a new team. 

Shooter believes in finding his players a good fit whether it is here or somewhere else. This is what happened with McBain who expressed he did not want to follow the planned AHL stint, and felt he was ready for NHL minutes. By doing this, his immediate salary increased 900%. But, he may never develop into a top 6 player (and may never have to begin with). 

He did the same thing with Mennell, Talbot, and the 2 prospects he flipped at the trade deadline last season. Ok, so Talbot was more of an any place but here thing. Kulikov was another example. 

If Firstov continues to succeed over there, someone's going to notice over here. And, like I said above, Firstov would not just be a throw in or a sweetener, he'd bring a desired asset back.

18 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

Now that KK is officially wearing the "A" he will be more than a phone call/text to players like Yurov.

"I'm waiting for you" suddenly takes on a little more weight.

16 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

I watched the Hawks game against the Pens. Bedard is crazy talented but I am going to channel MnFann here and say he really needs to hit the weight room. He was getting almost rag dolled throughout the game. Of note to me, none of the Hawk vets really stood up for him.

From your eyes, was anyone really able to hit him? To me, someone like Ek taking him hard into the boards, or someone like Dumba who catches him at center ice with his head down, would be the way to slow him down.

19 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

Throwing away Firstov just because he didn't get along with a coach that the team ended up letting go would be silly, IMO. Lots of Russian players don't play in the AHL and prefer to play closer to home. 

Hockey IS for everyone and you really have to reach to come to your conclusion.

Let's play hockey.

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

From your eyes, was anyone really able to hit him? To me, someone like Ek taking him hard into the boards, or someone like Dumba who catches him at center ice with his head down, would be the way to slow him down.

The hits that I saw were more of the open ice variety and were for the most part glancing blows (he is very quick). These had the effect of spinning him around being thrown out of the play. I didn't see him do a lot of board work but when he did he was effective. The overall feeling I had was if he does get slammed in the corner or head on in open ice he will come out of it worse for wear. I did not see last nights game where he scored  so I can't comment on that. Chicago looks a lot better so far this year but I think the d-corps will be a hot mess.

Ok Tony.  You were right. Please disable the comments again

The decorum and civility certainly stays safely in the zone of tolerance when hockey is the focus. Keep the prejudice and bigotry directed towards Central Division rivals...