The Minnesota Wild have finalized an agreement with Marat Khusnutdinov, a 21-year-old Russian forward prospect whom former general manager Bill Guerin drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Speculation had been circulating for weeks that Khusnutdinov might join the Wild after his KHL season concluded, but there were uncertainties regarding whether he would be granted an early release from his contract, which wasn’t set to expire until April 30. Khusnutdinov’s entry-level contract with the Wild spans two years and pays $925,000 per season. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Khusnutdinov’s representatives received finalized paperwork from his KHL team confirming the mutual termination of his contract on Wednesday morning.
When can we anticipate Marat Khusnutdinov to play for Minnesota Wild?
Once they resolve his VISA issues, they’ll initiate the first year of his two-year contract and have him relocate to Minnesota once he arrives in the USA. They’ve even reserved the number 22 jersey for him. The intention is to test Marat’s ability to adapt to the NHL as a young newcomer to a foreign land. According to Russo, Khusnutdinov and Kirill Kaprizov have been in frequent contact lately, indicating a strong connection.
Khusnutdinov plays in the KHL.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Khusnutdinov participated in 49 matches for HK Sochi in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), achieving 20 points through 6 goals and 14 assists, along with 10 penalty minutes. He held the fifth position for assists and the seventh for overall points within the team, concurrently taking on the role of team captain. Initially beginning the season with SKA St. Petersburg, he transferred to HK Sochi on October 10 after playing six games.
