Changes in Team Spirit: What Will Happen to the Dragons’ Roster? How Many Replacements Are Needed? Who Will Replace magixx?
Team Spirit’s quarterfinal defeat to MOUZ at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 has sparked heated discussions in the community about possible roster changes. Despite their triumph at Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, where Boris “magixx” Vorobyov showed impressive results, inconsistent performances against top teams like Vitality, MOUZ, and Falcons have exposed the roster’s weaknesses. The current lineup remains strong, but fresh blood is needed to compete with the world’s best.
Insider harumi recently hinted at one or two replacements, particularly highlighting magixx as a likely candidate for departure. Boris has shown bright moments, such as his 1v2 clutch against MOUZ on Mirage, but someone has to go, and considering that some of the world’s best players occupy other positions, magixx will likely become the “sacrificial lamb.” The team is unlikely to make more than two changes to preserve VRS points, and the main problem is finding a player capable of surpassing Boris, which will be very difficult, especially in the CIS region.
The kyousuke Problem: Missed Talent
The main difficulty is the rumors about Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin’s transfer from Spirit Academy to Falcons. This 17-year-old talent, compared to donk in potential, showed a 1.57 rating at BetBoom LanDaLan 2 and helped the academy rise to 32nd place in the VRS world ranking. Kyousuke would have been an ideal candidate for the main roster, but according to most publications and talents, Falcons bought him out for $1.5 million, and the deal was completed before the Austin Major. Many claim that Maxim himself decided to join NiKo and m0NESY’s team, and you can read about why he made this choice in our article dedicated to Falcons.
Who Will Come to Team Spirit?
Finding a player who will guaranteed surpass Boris is indeed difficult at the moment, so Spirit should focus on a candidate’s potential – their so-called “ceiling.” There are practically no ready-made tier-1 level stars, and kyousuke’s departure only complicates the task. Let’s examine the main contenders, their pros, cons, and transfer probability.
Ilya "Perfecto" Zalutsky
- Pros: Extensive tier-1 experience, high potential under ideal conditions, free agent status.
- Cons: Long absence from the pro scene, age (25 years).
- Transfer probability: Above average.
Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutsky is a veteran with a rich history, knowing what it’s like to be a player on the world’s best team as part of NAVI 2021. His experience in matches against top teams makes him an interesting option for Spirit, as there are probably no more authorities left that Ilya would be afraid to play against. Recent performances in show matches and mixes show that Perfecto maintains his fighting character, but sometimes displays it in less than ideal ways. It’s clear that players from that NAVI lineup are accustomed to being at the top and don’t see themselves in teams that don’t contend for trophies. In this regard, Spirit is definitely a suitable collective, so it’s not excluded that in case of joining the Dragons, Ilya will fully return to the ranks of the world’s best players.
The main question is how realistic this outcome is, remembering the struggles of s1mple and other players after lengthy breaks? Free agent status eliminates transfer costs, making him an economically advantageous choice. Despite having a newborn daughter and family obligations, it seems Perfecto isn’t ready to end his career yet, and such a transition could give the team exactly the effect that sh1ro once brought.
Andrey "tn1R" Tatarinovich
- Pros: Excellent current form, successful tier-1 adaptation, versatility.
- Cons: Recent transfer to HEROIC, age (24 years).
- Transfer probability: Average.
tn1R became the sensation of 2025, making a loud statement in HEROIC after an unexpected transfer from GUN5. His quick adaptation to tier-1 even while communicating in English shows he’s a player with a very high ceiling that he clearly hasn’t reached yet. Returning to a Russian-speaking lineup would be an additional positive factor in his development, and the Belarusian talent’s current form means he won’t have to spend time on this aspect of the game, which is important for Spirit.
The problem: will HEROIC want to let go of a player they signed literally this winter? They quite willingly part with players, which could work in Spirit’s favor, but considering the finances from the kyousuke transfer, HEROIC will ask for a decent sum for their star. The recent loss of their coach and sniper could also complicate negotiations, as HEROIC already has holes to patch before creating new ones. If Spirit manages to negotiate, tn1R would be an ideal reinforcement, but too many “buts” make this transfer less likely.
Ivan "Zweih" Gogin
- Pros: Youth (17 years), good results with tier-2 team at tier-1 level, high potential.
- Cons: Risk of not handling tier-1 pace, little experience at the highest level.
- Transfer probability: Very high.
Zweih attracted attention with his performances for Nemiga at top tournaments. Rumor has it he could have ended up in Spirit Academy at one point but chose tier-2 collectives to gain experience. His current form suggests he’s capable of taking on magixx’s roles, but transitioning to tier-1 is a serious test. Examples of FL4MUS and ICY, who shined brightly in weaker collectives but faded at the top level due to travel and pressure, serve as serious warnings.
On the other hand, Spirit is known for their ability to work with young talents, making Zweih a promising choice. His potential is rumored to be quite high, and interest from Spirit would only help him fully realize it. If Nemiga sets a reasonable price for the transfer, Ivan would become a priority option for Spirit, especially if they’re betting on long-term prospects.
Mareks "YEKINDAR" Galinski
- Pros: Tier-1 experience, adaptability, free agent status, motivation to win.
- Cons: Inconsistent form, age (25 years).
- Transfer probability: Average.
YEKINDAR is an attractive option combining experience and hunger for victories. His work in VP, Liquid, and FURIA showed he’s capable of adapting to different roles and lineups. Returning to a Russian-speaking team could also help him regain his former form when he was one of the strongest riflers. Mareks’ rich experience would definitely add a new perspective to the team’s game, which in the current situation could be very useful for the Dragons.
At 25, he’s not old, but returning to peak form is questionable. As a free agent, he doesn’t require transfer costs, and his desire to win perfectly matches Spirit’s ambitions. If the team is looking for a balance of experience and firepower, YEKINDAR is a logical and less risky choice than Perfecto.
Roman "Mokuj1n" Petrushenko
- Pros: Spirit Academy player.
- Cons: Young, unclear readiness for tier-1.
- Transfer probability: Below average.
Mokuj1n is an internal option, logical for Spirit, who often promote players from the academy. However, his readiness for tier-1 raises questions, as the academy’s successes are mainly attributed to kyousuke. Spirit knows how to develop young talents, but without clear evidence of high potential, Mokuj1n appears less likely compared to external candidates.
Short-list: Experimental Options
These players have minimal chances but look like interesting options:
Petr “fame” Bolyshev: VP star with similar roles, but his decline and the Bears’ unwillingness to let the player go make the transfer unlikely.
David “Norbert” Danielyan: On the bench at VP, an available option, but unlikely to strengthen Spirit compared to magixx.
Alexander “KaiR0N-” Anashkin: Good rifler, but many missed chances at tier-1 reduce his attractiveness.
Dmitry “mizu” Kondratyev: Young HOTU player with good HLTV rating and great play at PGL Astana, but a jump to Spirit would be too sudden.
Conclusion: A Difficult Choice
Team Spirit can now attract practically any player, but finding the perfect replacement for magixx is no easy task. Losing kyousuke to Falcons is painful, but the financial resources from the deal provide flexibility to sign a star of practically any level. Spirit could consider short-term trial contracts to test players without long-term commitments, which doesn’t quite align with their usual strategy. Fans and analysts wonder: will Spirit bet on youth, as with donk, or choose an experienced player to stabilize the roster? We’ll know the answer very soon.
