Islanders steal Daniil Prokhorov from the KHL

When the New York Islanders drafted Daniil Prokhorov in the second round of the 2025 NHL draft, fans were excited. Sure, he did get overshadowed with the Islanders selecting Matthew Schaefer first overall. However, that does not detract from the upside Prokhorov has. He's been described a physcial forward who's not afraid to throw a big hit or get into a fight. If he's able to develop his offensive game, he'll be a mainstay on the Islanders' second line.

Many expected Prokhorov to stay in Russia and play this season in the KHL. This expectation seemed to become reality after signing a two-year two-way deal with Dynamo Moscow. However, in a surprising turn of events, Prokhorov signed his entry-level contract with the Islanders on Tuesday morning, meaning he'll play in North America this upcoming season. But how did this deal come about, and why is it better for his development?

How playing in North America is much better for Danill Prokhorov's development

Recently, Prokhorov finished his professional tryouts for Dynamo Moscow, and it did not go great for him. He spent the majority of his time stuck in the bottom six, and many saw him as the 13th forward at best. This means that Prokhorov was most likely on his way to Dynamo St. Petersburg of the MHL. This would be detrimental to Prokhorov's development, as his skill level is significantly higher than that of the players in that league. Although they're all roughly the same age, few players have a clear path to the NHL.

Playing in a league like that will not get Prokhorov ready for the NHL. Will he dominate the league and put up impressive numbers? Sure, but he won't be getting better as a play. He can succeed based on the raw talent he has, rather than improving as a player to match the league's talent. It could also hinder his confidence, because once he got to North America the game would move and be so much different he would struggle, and potentially start to dobut himself.

Prokhorov, going to the OHL on the other hand, is much better for his development. While it has not been confirmed yet, many expect Prokhorov to spend the 2025-26 season with the Sarina Sting. A team that has produced talented players like Steven Stamkos, Jakob Chychrun, and former Islander Matt Martin. These are just a few of the notable names, but in total, 51 former Sting players have made it to the NHL.

The OHL is a much more talented league than the MHL, allowing Prokhorov to play better competition. This will allow him to play with people closer to his skill level and cause him to become a better player. He cannot rely solely on his talent and will need to develop his skills. This will make him a better player and help him get to the NHL faster. With him struggling on offense, the OHL is the perfect place to hone this skill.

Although Prokhorov is still years away from the NHL, his develop took a big step in the right direction. We could see Prokhorov giving the Islanders physcaility a boost as soon as next season.