Surprising Move to NHL Coming for Elite Russian Prospects Ilya Nabokov & Danila Yurov

Some exciting news for both the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild. Top Russian prospects Ilya Nabokov and Danila Yurov have both refused new contracts with their KHL teams, with the intention of coming to North America this year.

According to Daria Tuboltseva in rg.org, Yurov, the Wild's first-round pick in 2022, and Nabokov, a second-rounder of the Avs in 2024, will both be bringing their extensive talents to the NHL for 2025-26.

Two of Russia’s brightest hockey prospects, Ilya Nabokov and Danila Yurov, are preparing to leave the KHL and pursue their NHL dreams. Both players have opted not to negotiate new contracts with their current KHL team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, setting the stage for a significant move to North America.

The KHL season is extended to the end of May this season, so their arrivals are unlikely to have an impact on the current NHL season for Colorado or Minnesota, but they will certainly be following in the footsteps of Montreal Canadiens' superstar-in-waiting Ivan Demidov, in bolting Russia for the NHL for next season.

Goaltender Nobokov, 21, was the MVP of the KHL's 2024 playoffs, and has a .926 save percentage with a 2.19 goals-against average this season across 33 games for Metallurg.

Another win, 39 saves, and he wanted an assist here but his teammate didn’t score on the breakaway.

Ilya Nabokov continues to be on a roll. pic.twitter.com/yj7epA9CCo
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) January 11, 2025