New York Islanders prospect Daniil Prokhorov's PTO with the KHL's Dynamo Moscow has expired.
He didn't record a point in any of the games he played in, while serving as a fourth-line, 13th forward throughout training camp and preseason.
The 18-year-old, drafted in the second round (No. 45) of the 2025 NHL Draft, was invited to their training camp after two seasons playing in the VHL, their junior league.
Winning a job in the KHL was going to be a tough task for Prokhorov, but receiving an invitation was surely a positive sign in terms of how his potential is viewed.
Dynamo Moscow's head coach, Alexey Kudashov, was asked about what he saw from the youngsters, and that's when he made a comment on Prokhorov (translated):
"Everything is going fine. Some of them played matches in the youth team, and some are playing for Dynamo Saint Petersburg. Everyone is in the squad, everyone is preparing, and everyone is in good shape. The question is whether someone will need a little more time, like, for example, Prokhorov. He is a very young guy and is only taking his first steps in adult hockey. It so happened that he practically did not play in the VHL. Everything is new for him now. All the players are ready; the only question is when the dream will start to be realized." (H/t Dynamo Website)
*The VHL is the KHL's equivalent to the AHL.
For Prokhorov, playing in the KHL at 18 would have been one thing. However, going back to juniors in Russia likely doesn't make sense for his development, especially when he has the chance to come to North America.
Yes, he'd be playing juniors over here, but playing for the OHL's Sarnia Sting -- they drafted him in the second round of the CHL Import Draft -- and getting acclimated to the North American game likely makes the most sense.
Dynamo holds Prokhorov's rights, and they certainly could sign him to play in the VHL.
We await to find out Prokhorov's plan. Don't be shocked if he signs his entry-level deal really soon.
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