Kirill Kabanov
Image: NHL

Kirill Kabanov

Hometown:

Moscow Russia

Team:

New York Islanders

Currently Playing In:

Europe

Birthday:

1992-07-16
Position:

RW

Eligible for draft:

2010
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2010
Height:

6-3
Acquired:

3rd round (65th overall), 2010
Weight:

176 lbs.
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History

2008-09: Kirill Kabanov played in 6 regular season games for Spartak Moscow of the KHL, as well as 4 playoff games, registering no points in those games.  He played in several tournaments with Team Russia, including the World Under-18 Championship, the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and the 5 Nations Under-18 Tournament.

2009-10: This season has been one of controversy and injury for Kabanov.  The talented forward was suspended prior to the season for not signing a contract with his new club, Salavat Yuleav Ufa.  Kabanov’s North American rights were held by the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, which he joined in October.  Due to injuries, however, Kabanov appeared in just 22 games for the Wildcats, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists for 23 points in those games.  But Kabanov was given his release from the Wildcats after being a healthy scratch in some late regular season games and the first round of the playoffs.  Kabanov missed out on playing in the World Junior Championships due to an injury, and was not added to the World Under-18 roster.

2010-11: Kabanov displayed high level skills and productivity over the second half and in the QMJHL playoffs after some early season turmoil.He appeared in two October games with Moncton and was obtained by Lewiston in a trade. He finally suited up for the Maineiacs in November after some visa issues. In 37 regular season games with Lewiston, mostly in a lower line role early on, Kabanov scored 11 goals with 17 assists and was +10 plus/minus with 38 PMs. Kabanov and Lewiston coaches Jean-Francois Houle and Darren Rumble proved to be a good fit and the Russian scorer displayed a more well-rounded game. In the playoffs his offensive production took off playing alongside high end Maineiacs scorer Michael Chaput (CBJ) and others. Lewiston finished second in the East Division and reached the playoff semifinals before falling to Memorial Cup champ Saint John. In 15 playoff games Kabanov scored 8 goals with 12 assists – tying Chaput for the team lead in points – and was +7 with 18 PMs. Kabanov signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders in July, 2011.

2011-12: Kabanov had a successful third season in the QMJHL playing for Memorial Cup champion Shawinigan. He scored 21 goals with 34 assists and was plus-32 in 50 regular season games – missing time mid-season due to a concussion. He was the Cataractes leading scorer in the QMJHL playoffs with 4 goals and 9 assists in 11 games as Shawinigan reached the second round after finishing first in the East Division. The Cataractes won the Memorial Cup as the host team, defeating the OHL’s London Knights in overtime in the final game. Kabanov scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was plus-two in six Memorial Cup games.

2012-13: Kabanov played 32 games for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport in his first pro season — missing three months after suffering a wrist laceration in October. Playing a lower line role as a 20-year-old, he scored 2 goals with 7 assists and was -5 with 27 penalty minutes. The Sound Tigers missed the AHL playoffs after finishing third in the Northeast Division.

2013-14: Kabanov appeared in 16 games with Islanders’ AHL affiliate Bridgeport and played nine games with Stockton in the ECHL before being loaned to MODO in Sweden in January 2014. He scored 3 goals and was minus-3 with 12 penalty minutes during his time with the Sound Tigers. Kabanov scored 4 goals with 4 assists and was plus-4 with 11 penalty minutes in nine games for Stockton. In 12 regular season games for eighth-place MODO he scored 6 goals with 2 assists and was minus-1 with 2 penalty minutes. He he was plus-1 with 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes in two playoff games. Kabanov was released from his contract by the Islanders in July 2014. 

Talent Analysis

A speedy winger who plays the game with boatloads of energy and has the hands to make the puck dance, Kabanov's game still needs plenty of work, especially in adding strength to match his enthusiasm on the ice as well as improving his play without the puck.

Future

Kabanov was released from his contract with the Islanders in July 2014 and is skating for Skelleftea in Sweden in 2014-15. His combination of speed, skill and offensive creativity is well-suited for hockey in Europe. With a wealth of forward talent in the Islanders organization it wasn't likely that Kabanov would have much of an NHL opportunity in New York. It would not be surprising to see him have another opportunity with a different club in the future.

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