Minnesota Wild’s Danila Yurov on NHL Debut, Kaprizov’s Guidance and Stanley Cup Dreams – Hockey Writers – Minnesota Wild

Russian forward Danila Yurov had a strong rookie season in the league with the Minnesota Wild, after the franchise selected him 24th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In this translated interview, which appeared on the Russian website Bookmaker-ratings.ru, Yurov talked about his rookie NHL season, learning from his veteran teammates, the Wild’s playoff run and his Stanley Cup aspirations.

**You can read Yurov’s original Russian interview with Olesya Usova on Bookmaker-ratings.ru here**

Rookie Reflections

It was Yurov’s first season in the NHL. The native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, posted 27 points in 73 regular season games, adding one goal and two assists in nine postseason games. “There’s always room for improvement,” Yurov judged his rookie campaign. “With an average of five points, I would give it four releases. I got a lot of experience.”

He started his new challenge with a new mindset. “Actually, I didn’t expect anything,” explained the striker. “It’s a different world out there, a different way, a different system. I just tried to work every day and let things happen the way they could. I could have scored 5-7 more points and played with more composure. I have a lot to work on.”

Russian connection

Yurov was fortunate to have many Russians in Minnesota as he played against Kirill Kaprizov, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Yakov Trenin. That meant easily adapting to his new reality. “We spoke a lot of Russian,” he confirmed. “I wouldn’t say I had real problems with English, but it’s easier when you speak your language. We spent a lot of time playing as an all-Russian line, and the chemistry was really good. When you have your guys, it’s easy to get into North American hockey.”

Playing with his countrymen was easy for Yurov. “If the game doesn’t go our way, we can agree to make things easier. And if the opportunity arises, we will try to create. Russian-speaking players have their own view of the game; we are taught hockey in a different way. It was nice to have the opportunity to play together. I think we did not let the coaching staff down, and I hope we will have more time together next season.”

Other Russian players helped Yurov a lot. “When I was staying at the hotel, they helped with laundry, deliveries and other small things,” he explains. It’s fun when you’re around the “dispersed” Russian people. You didn’t even have to ask them for help.” One could hear a lot of Russian being spoken in the locker room. Although they pressured us to speak English, we continued to do things our way.”

Some team members know a little about the language. “They know insults without us,” confirmed Yurov. “I think everyone has played with the Russians before. If someone wants to, they will come and ask some basic phrases, but they don’t really ask often. They mostly ask about the KHL and the level of the league. Some of them have friends who play for KHL teams.”

Playoff lessons

Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kaprizov gave Yurov valuable advice. “In the playoffs, especially, they have been encouraging me and giving me pointers,” said the broadcaster about his experience with the veterans. “We also talked a lot at the beginning of the season. I wasn’t used to playing seven or eight minutes a night, so they were my mental experts. I was happy that I had people I could turn to for advice and to learn how to react in different situations. With hard work and patience everything will come.”

They helped from the beginning. “When I arrived, I watched them a lot, how they fought on the boards, in the corners, on faceoffs, the little tricks they used. I learned a lot of new things that helped me improve my game as the season went on.”

People say that the big contract did not change Kirill Kaprizov. “Yes, one hundred percent,” said Yurov. “He loves his country and misses Russia a lot. In addition, he has his own sauna, hunting and fishing there. If I had the chance, I would try to live in the countryside, with cool air and beautiful nature. In that sense, we are all a little jealous of him.”

In the last campaign, the Wild suffered a second-round exit over the Colorado Avalanche. “In the end, it wasn’t so much that they beat us as we lost. Everything was in our hands. In Game 5 we came out 3-0, and we could have closed it quietly and ended the series. At times, maybe we thought that the game had already been won, but Colorado, on the contrary, knew that they could not let it go to Game 6 because that would be dangerous for them.”

“After a while, when the coaches and players are sitting together, we will think about it carefully, reach the conclusion and look at where we should have played better and what we should add. I hope that next year we will be playing in the finals.”

Yurov was then surprised that Colorado was swept by Vegas in the next round. “I was very surprised,” he says. “I didn’t expect Colorado to be able to break down the Vegas defense, especially with the type of hitters they have and the depth of their lineup.”

It was his first game in the NHL playoffs as a rookie forward, acknowledging his need to improve. “The first series against Dallas was tough, but against Colorado it was almost perfect – the points started coming. Now I know how to play in the NHL playoffs and how to prepare for those games. And the fact that we got out of the second round adds more fire. In my first year I was very close to that dream, but it feels like something was left unfinished. So I need to achieve the goal of a hockey player and try my best.”

However, during the playoffs, Yurov became the Wild’s lifeblood again. “It wasn’t a problem at all,” said the striker. “The important thing is that the team wins, when I was young people told me that all the names are written in the Cup, if the coach sees it that way he has the right to take this decision, he is my manager.

“My job is to come to work every day. So I accepted it calmly. I even told the coach that he doesn’t have to explain to me why I was removed from the list. I understand that everything is for the benefit of the team. Any way is good if it leads to victory. The men’s locker room and the workplace, so there are no hard feelings.”

Naturally, Yurov had to adapt not only to North American hockey, but also to local coaches, another factor that is very different from what he was used to at home in Russia. “The coaches here are very focused on making sure that the way you think is right, so you don’t carry grudges or get it in your head. They try to talk to the player and support him. For me it’s easier there that way, because I can show up and ask questions, and they won’t have a problem explaining everything. The coach does a lot of work in the team to make sure everyone is equal and honest with each other.”

After his rookie season with the Wild, Yurov feels like the hockey capital of the United States. “I have never seen such a spirit anywhere else,” said the striker. “Obviously there’s Montreal and Toronto, but that’s not the US. When we played on the road with Dallas, it was quiet there, while our rink at home was completely rocking. Colorado didn’t have this kind of support either.”

Minnesota reminds him a little of his hometown Chelyabinsk. “The weather and climate are the same. The winter is long, and there are a lot of outdoor rinks, and in winter there is no heat like you get in Texas or California. And if you drive, there are lakes, lakes, lakes. There are many similarities – Yakov Trenin talked about it. So for me it is an amazing situation to live in, and it makes homesickness easier.”

Stanley Cup Dreams

Regarding the next season, he already knows what his goals are. “To win the Stanley Cup. Every year you have to set your goals as high as you can. We have all the tools, it’s a good team. We can win it.” And with some offseason teamwork, the Wild may be getting closer to their ultimate dream.