Yurtaykin makes an impression with teammates
SAN JOSE >> The Sharks and rookie forward Danil Yurtaykin are still in the process of getting to know one another.
The Sharks are figuring out what kind of player they have after two weeks of training camp. Yurtaykin is still adjusting to life in a new country half a world away from his hometown in Russia.
“He’s got good speed, he’s a good player,” Sharks forward Timo Meier said of Yurtaykin. “Doesn’t speak a word of English, but we have fun with him. He’s working hard and the boys like being on the ice with him.”
So far, Yurtaykin has shown enough promise to remain on the Sharks’ roster just four days before the start of the regular season. Although changes can be made between now and Tuesday afternoon — the deadline for teams to submit opening day 23-man rosters to the NHL — it looks like Yurtaykin, 22, will be with the Sharks to start the season.
Yurtaykin scored the Sharks’ only goal in their 5-1 preseason loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday at TMobile Arena. Yurtaykin took a pass
from Evander Kane behind the Golden Knight net, eluded the stick check of Brayden McNabb and beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a backhand shot at the 1:10 mark of the third period.
Yurtaykin also got an introduction to the intense rivalry between the Sharks and Golden Knights, as Sunday’s game featured a combined 114 penalty minutes.
Yurtaykin stayed out of any extra-curricular activities, as he began the game on a line with Joe Thornton and Marcus Sorensen. The trio was also together for Saturday’s practice in San Jose.
“He’s come a long way,” Thornton said of Yurtaykin. “He’s still learning English, so it must be real tough on the kid.
“As the weeks go on, I think he’s understanding a little bit more. I don’t think he knew a lick before he came over here. But he’s trying. He’s understanding a few more hockey terms. I’m sure it’ll get better week-to-week.
“Me and Marcus have played together for a while now, so we’re familiar. But taking a young kid like that, teaching him some English, teaching him some fun words and playing hard for each other, it’ll be good.”
Yurtaykin was born in Belovo, Russia, a city with a population of just over 70,000 located in Southwest Central Siberia. He played in the KHL the past two years, and had 19 points in 40 games with Yaroslavl Locomotiv last season.
When the Sharks first signed Yurtaykin to a twoyear, entry-level contract in April, he was described by general manager Doug Wilson in a team news release as an “explosive skater who uses his speed to create and sustain production in the offensive zone.”
In that respect, Yurtaykin has certainly come as advertised, showing flashes at the Sharks’ development camp in June, the rookie tournament in Anaheim earlier this month and in three preseason games.
Thursday against the Calgary Flames when the Sharks dressed nearly a complete NHL roster, Yurtaykin took one minor penalty for high-sticking and had three shots on goal in 14 minutes and 47 seconds of ice time. At even strength, he skated on a line with Thornton and Lukas Radil, and was also on the ice for four minutes of power play time.
Yurtaykin still does not have a point in the exhibition season. But he’s still learning the system and getting used to his teammates.
“We try to create our own language a little bit,” Meier said. “It’s definitely not easy for him. Radil speaks a little bit of Russian, (Evgeni Nabokov) helps him a lot with system stuff, with power play, breakouts. We’ve got some funny words we use. Just try and make it as easy as possible.”
Radil spent three seasons in the KHL, and has tried to help Yurtaykin with the transition into the new environment.
“I try to use my Russian words to help him a little bit,” Radil said.
The question the Sharks still have is whether he can be consistent at both ends of the ice and thereby gain the trust of the coaching staff to stick around.
“I don’t know if you have a good handle on any of the new guys’ game five games into exhibition,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said.
Yurtaykin was one of several free agents the Sharks signed in the offseason, as the team also gave contracts to forwards Lean Bergmann and Joel Kellman, defenseman Tony Sund and goalie Andrew Shortridge. Bergmann looks like another rookie who will start the season in the NHL, while Kellman and Shortridge were reassigned to the Barracuda earlier in camp and Tony Sund was returned to TPS Turku of SM-liiga.
For years, the Sharks have successfully mined European leagues for impactful free agents, with Radil, Sorensen, Radim Simek and Melker Karlsson all part of the team this season.
Maybe the Sharks have found another keeper in Yurtaykin.
“I think the more you practice with him, the speed and skill are obvious,” DeBoer said.