Minnesota Wild Sign Highly-Touted Winger to Entry-Level Deal

The Minnesota Wild have made a potential high-impact move before the offseason started. Today, they announce Danila Yurov signs, who is a former first-round pick, to a three-year, entry-level contract. According to Scott Wheeler, he was the second-best prospect and is the best forward prospect in the Wild organization. While he has not played in North America yet, Yurov has the skills to be a special player. Here is the potential impact that he can have on the Wild lineup.

What Impact Will Danila Yurov Have Next Season?

The Wild selected Yurov with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 draft. He was praised for his offensive creativity and described as a shifty winger who can deke or blow past defenders. He can also impact the penalty kill with his ability to create turnovers. However, there were concerns about his play-making ability and his lack of physicality.

Showing Yurov Deserves the Deal he Signs

However, over his three seasons in the KHL, he showed he has the skills to be a talented player. In 209 KHL games, he registered 41 goals and 47 assists for 88 points. His career year was 2023-24, when he tallied 49 points on 21 goals and 28 assists. Notably, it was the most points by a 20-year-old in KHL history, breaking Vladimir Tarasenko’s record. He also helped the Metallurg Magnitogorsk win the Gagarin Cup in 2023-24, notching six goals and three assists for nine points. Unfortunately, a lower-body injury cut his 2024-25 season short, limiting him to just 25 points on 13 goals and 12 assists.

As Yurov signs, despite never playing in North America, he should be a prime candidate to make the team out of camp. He should slide into the Wild bottom six either as the third or fourth line right winger. He will also probably have a position on the Wild penalty kill second unit as a way to give him more ice time. Yurov could also be the long-term replacement for Mats Zuccarello. He’s been a staple for the team’s top six since he was acquired back in 2018-19. However, with his contract expiring and him being 37, he does not have much time left in the league. If Yurov performs, he could fill the void left by a Zuccarello departure.