JUST IN: Wild sign Russian prospect Marat Khusnutdinov
The quick Russian playmaker will join the Wild at the earliest opportunity. Bill Guerin expressed, “I believe Marat is the kind of player who can make an immediate impact for us.”
On Wednesday, Bill Guerin mentioned that he is undecided about his plans for the NHL trade deadline on March 8. Despite this, the Wild’s general manager has already made a move by signing prospect Marat Khusnutdinov to a two-year entry-level contract.
Marat recently completed his fourth season in Russia’s premier professional league, and the contract extends until next season, covering the entirety of the first year due to the current season.
The highest annual salary allowed on a two-way, entry-level contract in the NHL is $925,000
Guerin mentioned that once Khusnutdinov resolves his work visa issues, he will join the Wild to assist them during the remaining games of the season. The Wild, who are now competing for a wild-card playoff berth, are set to face Nashville on Thursday, marking the start of their final 23 regular-season matches.
According to Guerin, Khusnutdinov is viewed as a valuable addition due to his versatility and skills. The 21-year-old player, who posted six goals and 20 points in 55 games across two teams in the Kontinental Hockey League, is expected to play as a center in the NHL, aiming to contribute to the Wild’s playoff push for the fourth consecutive season.
Guerin expressed confidence in Khusnutdinov’s abilities as a center and believes he can excel in all aspects of the game, emphasizing the team’s current strategy moving forward.
The general manager stated that there is no necessity for Khusnutdinov to play games with AHL Iowa. Winger Kirill Kaprizov transitioned from the KHL to the Wild in the 2020-21 season and has consistently been the team’s leading scorer.
In the previous season, Khusnutdinov, standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 176 pounds, tallied 11 goals and 41 points in 63 games for SKA St. Petersburg. This achievement placed him on par with Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers, who holds a career-high of 33 goals this season, for the seventh-highest single-season point total in KHL history by a player aged 20 or younger.
Guerin mentioned, “I know he’s thrilled. He and Kirill maintain constant communication and share a strong friendship. They often converse while playing video games, forming a solid bond.”
The specific timing of that event is uncertain.
“In all honesty, I am unsure about our current position in the process,” stated the general manager. “I’m optimistic that it will happen within the upcoming week. However, it’s hard to predict. You can never be certain.”
