The Russian newcomer aims to cement his role in Minnesota’s top six, seizing an immediate opportunity to spark chemistry with the superstar winger during training camp.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — One of the Minnesota Wild’s biggest questions entering training camp didn’t take long to produce an intriguing first answer.
Maxim Shabanov opened the first day of camp skating on a line with Kirill Kaprizov, giving the newcomer an immediate opportunity to show he belongs in Minnesota’s top six.
The Wild entered camp needing to reshape their forward group after significant offseason turnover, and one of the biggest questions was who would earn the opportunity to play alongside Kaprizov.
At least initially, that player seems to be Shabanov.
The 25-year-old Russian winger spent last season with the New York Islanders, recording five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 44 games before joining Minnesota as a free agent.
Putting Shabanov alongside Kaprizov on the opening day doesn’t guarantee that’s where he’ll begin the regular season. Training-camp combinations can change quickly, and the Wild have several options available to them.
But it’s certainly a notable starting point.
"We see him in that top-six role," General Manager Bill Guerin said when the Wild signed Shabanov. "But we have to see who he's going to have the best chemistry with."
Shabanov has skill, and Minnesota appears interested in finding out quickly whether it can translate into production alongside the best offensive player on the roster.
The assignment also gives Shabanov an opportunity that could be difficult to surrender if the line clicks during camp and the preseason.
Minnesota’s second line featured Blake Coleman with Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy, while Marcus Johansson’s departure leaves the Wild looking for a new offensive combination around two players who have already established chemistry.
The rest of the Wild’s initial NHL forward group had Yakov Trenin, Bobby Brink, Danila Yurov, Marcus Foligno, Michael McCarron and Nick Foligno.
For Shabanov, though, there might not be a better opportunity to make an immediate impression.
One of the questions entering camp was whether Minnesota truly viewed him as a potential top-six forward.
We will see if this sticks or not. But when you look at the rest of the roster, it seems like the only move.
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