Wednesday: Firstov cleared waivers today, per CapFriendly. The Wild wasted little time releasing him as John Shipley of the Pioneer Press notes that the deal has already been terminated.
Tuesday: The Wild have placed forward prospect Vladislav Firstov on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract, the team announced Tuesday. The Athletic’s Michael Russo was the first to report the news.
It’s likely a mutual termination to allow Firstov to return to Russia next season. The 22-year-old spent most of the last two seasons on loan to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League but was briefly brought to North America to close 2023-24 with AHL Iowa.
He had two goals and two assists in his 10-game stint with the club, his first since a lone appearance at the beginning of 2022-23 before heading to the KHL. Firstov had one season remaining on his entry-level contract and would have been a restricted free agent in 2025, but if he clears waivers tomorrow, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent immediately.
All told, the 2019 second-round pick will have played just 19 games in the Wild organization, all coming with Iowa. He totaled two goals and six points in parts of three seasons after turning pro out of UConn in 2022. A move back to Torpedo seems likely for Firstov, who did well with 28 goals, 61 points and 110 PIMs in 114 games over the past two seasons.
With Firstov set to be off the books next season, the Wild are down to 35 out of the maximum 50 standard player contracts signed.
Well First Ov, I don’t think he was much of a prospect to begin with. And secondly, I think all Russians should be banned from re entering the United States or Canada while the war with Ukraine is ongoing.
What? Where is the logic in that? If you applied the same theory to Americans, we would not have been able to travel the world for decades.
Probably one of the dumbest takes I’ve ever heard. Why should an individual be responsible for their governong bodies choices?
Like doghockey said Americans wouldn’t participate in any tournament as well as many other countries. I think it’s despicable IIHF and the NHL hasn’t included Russia in any recent tournaments or future, ignoring one of the most hockey talented nations in the world.
What about Vladislav Secondov?
I know no one ever mentions him, he’s a diamond in the rough