Danila Yurov

[quantaloup]

Yurov is quietly having a strong start in the KHL this season. Only 20. Anyone has insights on the player? I feel like he's a bit under the radar for fantasy hockey GMs. Or maybe I'm overly excited...

[Pengwin7]

It's hard to say.
I check AHL & KHL stats every week or two.

Just looking at scoring leaders, I actually believe the AHL is a stronger league than the KHL these days.
I mean... Ryan Spooner and Jordan Weal are #3 and #4 scorers right now in the KHL.
I don't think they'd be that high in the AHL.

One of my favourite "sorts" is using QuantHockey and sorting the KHL by age... then just going page-by-page to find the young Russians whose stats *pop* out.
https://www.quanthockey.com/khl/seas...ers-stats.html
Age 18 But is having nice year (and some guy named Ilyin too... gotta look into him)
Age 19 Michkov is obviously the big one.
Age 20 Yurov - yes, nice stats as well.
Age 21 Atanasov.
Age 21 Aimurzin
Age 22 Pinchuk
Age 22 Nikishin (who has been all the D-rage last year)

It's tough... because - not watching the full games, hard to know a player's usage (by coach), minutes, linemates.
All this stuff factors in.
And... then you need to know how he's scoring and whether those tools will translate to the NHL.
I own Yurov in a fantasy league (WHL) and I root for him and have some faith because the Wild seem to have scouts deeply into KHL (Kaprizov, Khusnutdinov) and Sweden (Wallstedt, Ohgren).

It IS also helpful that hopefully Kaprizov is still with the Wild to help his transition to NHL hockey - if/when he comes.
I'm a big fan of knowing a lockerroom has fellow countrymen to guide them and talk to them. (a translator isn't helpful when quick on-ice talk is needed).


So... I kind of feel like Yurov is coming along very nicely.
I haven't watched highlights though - and if you get some, I'd love to see.

Sorry - that's not entirely helpful, really. A big rambling.
Statistically - it looks like he's projecting nicely.
I'd have to guess that NHLe type numbers suggest he's on pace for 2nd-line is future NHL production.

[stevegamer]

I think that one of the big differences between the AHL & KHL is their purpose.

The KHL is the top hockey league in it's nation/region. As such, it prioritizes winning, and success at that level. Games are more defensive oriented, and older player oriented. Fans of KHL teams are fans of that team, and generally their farm systems.

The AHL is a feeder league for the top hockey league on it's continent, and the world. Games are younger player oriented. Fans of AHL teams are often fans of the parent team, but also fans of their local team. Outside of Hershey, I struggle to think of a team that has more of a local following than a following for the parent club. Partly due to the Bears having switched affiliations some, and partly being the 7th oldest hockey club in North America.

Getting to Yurov, I know who he is, and in my deepest dynasty, which is a 20 team cap league, he was dealt by a team along with a future 2nd round pick for Bratt. There were cap implications as to why Bratt was dealt, but that's close to a straight up deal, the pick will be 21-30 most likely.

He was 1st rounder in 2022, so he's maybe a little under the radar for shallower leagues.

[vandalay]

With KHL stats it is way more contextual than any other professional league. It’s the hardest one to understand, it takes a lot of effort.

He is having an outstanding year given his age, the team he plays on, and the role he plays. If you want more details feel free to PM me.

[SeaDawg]

I have Yurov in my league and have been following his season closely. Obviously I have not watched any of his games but I have seen lots of video highlights and read lots of reviews/comments from regular KHL viewers. By all accounts, Yurov is having a phenomenal season in the KHL, especially considering his age. There are mixed rumors out there that he may re-sign in the KHL for one year, but despite that rumor being out there for a bit now, he hasn't actually signed yet. So, from a fantasy hockey perspective, I think there's a good chance he is in NA next year. He has been playing center in the KHL, and we all know Minnesota could use a 2C. I don't think he will play with KK, despite the obvious appeal based on nationality. JEE is an under-rated player and will likely continue playing with KK for the foreseeable future.

[Belexus75]

There are 4 players in KHL that i think could be very good players in NHL and some even stars. Problem is their arrival time. With NHL excluding Russian in 4 nation cup this time may extend again.. but who knows. But Nikishin, Michkov, Kovelenko and Yurov have been outstanding in their respective roles.

[Happy Hour]

What's the level of confidence Yurov comes over at the end of this season ? He's a sneaky pick in my upcoming draft if he does.
Everything I read says he wants to come but has anybody seen anything different ?

[tweetdrivr]

I think the most likely scenario is he’s in Minnesota to start the 25-26 season.

[SeaDawg]

I think the most likely scenario is he’s in Minnesota to start the 25-26 season.

I agree. Obviously there is no guarantee but I think odds are good that he arrives then. FWIW, I'd rather grab Yurov in fantasy hockey than a lot of other players simply because of the upside (and potential for an immediate impact in the NHL), even knowing there's a (small) risk of him re-signing in the KHL.

[deantime419]

I was going to poke around the forums on people's opinions on Yurov as well.

The most prolific scorer at his age in KHL history, 1st round draft pedigree, yet the Dobber guides have him only as a 50pt 3YP?

This one seems to be where to Dobber staff are in the minority and I assume most people would bump that up 10pts at the very minimum.

[tweetdrivr]

I think mainly due to the fact that he’s not going to play this year and maybe next. And he’s still a prospect. Dobber bases the guide on hard numbers and using data to project. Not fanboy enthusiasm. For everyone who thinks he’s under selling Yurov, if they were pumping his tires massively there’d be a group bitching about that too. I recently acquired him in a dynasty because I’m also liking what I’m seeing. Dobber’s guide is just that. It’s not gospel and they rightfully err to the conservative with the young unproven players.

[Belexus75]

I think mainly due to the fact that he’s not going to play this year and maybe next. And he’s still a prospect. Dobber bases the guide on hard numbers and using data to project. Not fanboy enthusiasm. For everyone who thinks he’s under selling Yurov, if they were pumping his tires massively there’d be a group bitching about that too. I recently acquired him in a dynasty because I’m also liking what I’m seeing. Dobber’s guide is just that. It’s not gospel and they rightfully err to the conservative with the young unproven players.

Cant say it better than this, proximity to NHL is a big factor, if he does not show up for next 2 years and year 3 he scores 50 points that's damn good rookie season no matter the age...

[Gandalf_the_Red]

So far this year Yurov is scoring at a half point per game pace - not sure if that is good or bad as I don't know how much playing time he's getting, PP time, deployment, etc. Does anyone have any info on that, and/or any info as to the possibility of him coming over next year?

[tweetdrivr]

His contract in the KHL ends this season. I’m pretty sure we’ll see him in the NHL next year.