Vladislav Firstov

June 2023 – Firstov remains an intriguing prospect for the Minnesota Wild. After one game in the AHL for the Iowa Wild during the 2022-23 season, Firstov was loaned back to Russia to play for the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. Firstov had a very respectable first season in the KHL posting 11 goals and 15 assists in 47 games and also adding four points in 10 playoff games. Despite having a disappointing spell for the Iowa Wild in the nine career games that he has played with them for, Minnesota retains his NHL rights and there is still potential for Firstov to become a middle-six point-scoring winger in the NHL. The intrigue will depend on whether Firstov will remain a KHL-based player or will take the chance to come back to North America moving forward in the near-future. Nathan Leblanc

February 2021 – Firstov has more than a point per game for the University of Connecticut after a solid freshman season with the program. It’s beginning to look like he could jump to the professional ranks as soon as next season. Sam Happi

June 2019 – The Minnesota Wild drafted Firstov in the second round in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. He finished second in rookie scoring in the USHL this season, just one point behind overager Shane Pinto. Firstov displays a creative offensive game that relies on his good skating and high IQ. He consistently looks to set up his teammates in high danger areas. Firstov competes hard along the boards and around the net but could put on a few pounds to improve his effectiveness. He has a hard, heavy shot that hits the net more often than not. Some refinement in some of the finer details of the game could be useful and Firstov’s likely to get it next season as he’s committed to the University of Connecticut. Tony Ferrari