NASHVILLE – Kirill Kaprizov and Marat Khusnutdinov talk on the phone and text.
They even play computer games together when Kaprizov has downtime. But they’ve never met in person.
That should change soon.
Khusnutdinov is in the process of joining the Wild after leaving the KHL in Russia to make his much-anticipated NHL debut, a transition Kaprizov plans to help his countryman with; he was in the same situation three years ago.
“It’s all new for him,” Kaprizov said. “I know myself when you just come, it’s different practice maybe a little bit. A lot of games here, not like in Russia.
“He can learn a lot from the boys, from the team and coach, meet with everybody, and then next year he can come in the camp it should be easy for him. Know everyone and just keep going, just focus on hockey.”
During Kaprizov’s rookie season in 2021, he wasn’t just adapting to a busier schedule after playing six years in the KHL; he was getting used to living in a different country and learning English. What made his arrival even more impressive is that he took the NHL by storm, winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie after scoring 51 points in 55 games.
Khusnutdinov has been in the KHL for the past four seasons: The center remained in Russia after the Wild drafted him in the second round — 37th overall — in 2020. He’ll face challenges similar to those Kaprizov faced when he arrived here, including the need to improve his English. Khusnutdinov’s English is “OK,” according to President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Bill Guerin.