When asked if he had gotten bigger after the Nashville Predators Future Stars game, forward Egorslin appeared surprised. "Am I big and strong? You didn’t see any Russian players bigger than me. I was small," he said.
Since being selected 22nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Surin has gained five pounds and grown an inch. He now stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 197 pounds. Although that may not seem particularly large, his skating ability and how he used his frame on the ice were impressive.
In Saturday’s game, Surin scored one goal and assisted another, with his goal being the opening score of the match. Throughout the development camp, he has been leveraging his size and speed effectively, making it tough for opponents to push him off the puck.
During the 3-on-3 tournament, Surin showcased control from one end of the ice to the other and easily created his own scoring chances despite the smaller playing surface.
He wasn’t the biggest player on the ice, but it was evident he was comfortable playing within his size.
"I like this year," Surin said. "I’ve met new friends—Swedes, Americans, Canadians. Everyone is very skilled, and I think it shows well to my friends and coaches."
Surin credits the sharp improvement in his game to never taking a break. After being drafted, he trained in Florida before joining Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the KHL. In his rookie KHL season, he tallied 14 points in 41 games and won the Gagalin Cup at 18 years old.
After the season ended, he came straight to development camp. He plans to rest a bit this year before KHL camp starts at the end of July.
"There’s no relaxation at all. I’m constantly practicing," Surin explained.
Nashville was on his mind while playing for Russia, as former Predator Alexander Radulov was his teammate.
Radulov had a complicated tenure in Nashville, leaving before his contract expired after playing 17 games in the 2011-12 regular season and playoffs.
Still, Surin learned from Radulov what it takes to play for Nashville and how to make the jump to the NHL.
"We talked about Nashville and the NHL. I know what I need to do to improve," Surin said. "He said it’s a great city, and he enjoyed playing there. He also mentioned that to succeed in the NHL, you need to be fast, strong, and ready."
There’s much excitement around Surin joining Nashville (or Milwaukee), though that won’t happen until the 2026-27 season. He is still under contract in the KHL until May 2026.
Fan Take: Surin’s combination of size, skill, and relentless work ethic makes him an intriguing prospect for Nashville fans eager to see fresh talent. His journey highlights the global reach of hockey and the exciting potential for European players to make a significant impact in the NHL.
