Minnesota bolsters its offensive creativity by snagging the dynamic Russian winger. Fresh off a stint in New York, the shifty playmaker brings elite vision to the Wild’s top-six.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild appear to have quietly added another intriguing forward.
After one season in the NHL, Maxim Shabanov became a free agent. The Wild have agreed to a contract with the winger.
Shabanov, 25, arrives after spending last season with the New York Islanders, where he recorded five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 44 NHL games.
Before making the jump to North America, the 5-foot-8 winger starred in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk, posting 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 65 games during the 2024-25 season, establishing himself as one of the league's most dynamic offensive players.
The Islanders declined to extend Shabanov a qualifying offer earlier this week, making him an unrestricted free agent. It didn't take long for him to seemingly find a new home.
If finalized, the addition gives the Wild another skilled, creative forward following the departures of Mats Zuccarello, Vladimir Tarasenko and Marcus Johansson earlier this offseason.
While Shabanov isn't the biggest player, he has built a reputation for his elite puck skills, vision and offensive creativity. Perfect guy for Kirill Kaprizov and Danilla Yurov.
The contract is a one-year deal at $1.6 million.
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