Yurov on track toward promising future with Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Danila Yurov doesn't consider himself a friend of fellow Russia-born Kirill Kaprizov per se. So, when the Minnesota Wild forward texted the 19-year-old forward prospect this summer, Yurov couldn't help but break into a big smile.

"I like to watch Kaprizov," Yurov said in English during Wild development camp last month. "He texts me yesterday. It was good."

Through a translator, Yurov continued to say Kaprizov "helped him with some tough questions" and also said, "he's waiting for Danila to get here [to Minnesota]."

Selected by the Wild with the No. 24 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Yurov played the bulk of last season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, where he had 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 59 games to go along with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 12 games with Stalnye Lisy in the Russian junior league.

Yurov is under contract for one more year with Metallurg Magnitogorsk but still attended his first Wild development camp, a bit of an anomaly for most players with existing KHL contracts.

"Just having him here and being able to be a part of everything is so important," Wild director of player development Brad Bombardir said. "Oftentimes, that just doesn't happen until they come over and sign their contract with the NHL. So, to get him in North America and acquainted a bit earlier is really nice.

"His English is improved, so we give him a ton of credit for preparing for that transition early, which can be the biggest challenge for foreign players."

Bombardir said the expectation for Yurov this season is to get more ice time and continue to use the assets that allowed him to succeed at the junior league level.

"When he gets sent to junior, he is that certain type of player at his own age level," Bombardir said. "He plays a totally different role, playing 20-plus minutes a night in every situation, whereas in the pros he's not getting those minutes or opportunities.

"We are never worried about [having] a player 'overripen' over there. We want him to grow physically, and mentally and emotionally this year, going up against bigger, older and stronger men."

Though Yurov has spent the majority of his career at right wing, Bombardir said Minnesota will consider moving him to center once he arrives in North America.

"I think we believe that he could maybe grow into that," he said. "Our plan would be to put him in the best possible position to succeed and succeed early. So, he would start on the wing, because if he can start off well instead of stumbling out the gates, that's huge.

"We want to build that confidence early rather than have him treading water. The American Hockey League and the NHL are the best leagues in the world, so to survive that on a daily basis is pretty impressive. We have no doubt Danila can do that."

Yurov has little doubt himself, and has his sights set on an eventual roster spot with the Wild.

"There's great expectation for him," Yurov's translator said. "It's very important he'll spend next season in Russia, and he hopes to come forward and come here next season."

"Great city. Great people," Yurov said in English of the Twin Cities. "Very excited."