Kirill Petrov

History

2007-08: Kirill Petrov further built on this success, skating the entire season with Kazan’s senior team in the Super League and also continuing to hold a leading role on Russia’s U18 squad, earning the silver medal at his second U18 World Junior Championships. Petrov has shown mixed results in Russia, as he put up lackluster numbers last season with Ak Bars Kazan but excelled at the 2008 U-18 World Junior Championships. In Super League play, Petrov only registered 13 points in 55 games with Ak Bars Kazan during the 2007-08 season. However, he dominated at the WJC by recording seven points in six games. Petrov also came away with the “Best Forward” award and was named to the WJC All-Star Team.

2008-09: Kirill suited up with Ak Bars for only six games, scoring a goal with the KHL Club as they would win the KHL Championship. He would also play for Russia at the World Juniors, unable to register a point with the team en route to a Bronze Medal.

2009-10: In eight games with Ak Bars, Krill would be held off the scoresheet, again winning the KHL Championship. He would again dress for the Russian team at the World Juniors, scoring four goals and six assists in six games.

2010-11: Petrov saw increased ice time after going from defending Gagarin Cup champion Kazan Ak-Bars to Kharlamov Division rival Khanty-Mansiysk Yugra in the KHL. Petrov was scoreless in two games before going to Yugra. In 47 games with the third-place club he scored 8 goals with 11 assists and was +4 with 20 PMs. In six playoff games for Khanty-Mansiysk he scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was +2 with 8 PMs. His four points tied for second amongst Yugra scorers.

2011-12: Petrov returned to Kazan and scored a career-high 16 goals with 13 assists in 52 games for Ak Bars in his third full KHL season. He was minus-three with 8 penalty minutes as Ak Bars finished third in the Kharlamov Division. Petrov scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was minus-three with 8 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games as Kazan reached the East Conference semi-finals.

2012-13: Petrov skated for Ak Bars Kazan in his third KHL season and represented Russia in the European Trophy and 2013 IIHF World Championship tournaments. He scored 12 goals with 8 assists in 47 regular season games and was +7 with 26 penalty minutes. Kazan finished first in the Kharlamov Division and reached the East Conference finals against Traktor Chelyabinsk. Petrov scored 4 goals with 1 assist and was +1 with 6 penalty minutes in 18 playoff games. He scored 1 goals with 2 assists in six Europe Trophy games and was +1 with 1 goal and for assists in eight games for Russia at the World Championship. Russia finished sixth after an 8-3 loss to the USA in the quarter-finals.

 2013-14: Petrov matched his career-high with 29 points skating for Ak Bars Kazan in his fourth KHL season. He scored 14 goals with 15 assists and was +11 with 29 penalty minutes in 53 games. Kazan finished second in the Kharlamov Division and lost to Novosibirsk Sibir in a six-game first round playoff series. Petrov had an even plus/minus with 1 goal and 2 assists in six playoff games. He played for Russia’s national team in three Europe Trophy games and was minus-1 with no points nor penalties. 

2014-15: Petrov skated in 47 of 60 regular season games and 17 playoff contests for Ak Bars Kazan in his fifth KHL season and played for the Russia national team during the Europe Trophy Tournament. Averaging 15 minutes of ice time per game as Ak Bars finished first ahead of defending champion Magnitogorsk in the Kharlamov Division, he scored 5 goals with 10 assists and was +8 with 41 minutes. Kazan reached the Gagarin Cup finals, falling to SKA St. Petersburg. Petrov scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was -1 with 12 penalty minutes, averaging 13:40 minutes of ice time in the playoffs. He was -2 with no points nor penalties in two games for Team Russia. Petrov signed a one-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders in July 2015.

Talent Analysis

Petrov has size, speed and skill. He is hard to knock off the puck and can deliver an impressive physical presence, if properly motivated. In regards to his speed, Petrov is a very strong skater with impressive quickness. He is a capable puck handler and capable of making the most with very little room. Beyond his soft touch, Petrov sees the ice well, though his offensive instincts are limited. A steady, veteran forward in the KHL, his direct to the net approach may lead to more opportunities in North America. Petrov offers an impressive and tempting package of physical presence, skating ability and soft hands but needs to further improve his defensive play and his decision making.

Future

Petrov was drafted by the Islanders in 2008 but appeared unlikely to come to North America until signing a one-year entry-level contract with New York in July 2015. He was assigned to AHL affiliate Bridgeport following an impressive training camp. After appearing in 13 games with the Sound Tigers — missing time with a broken foot — he returned to Russia in December when the Islanders loaned him to Ak Bars Kazan. Now skating for CSKA Moscow, he is eligible to return to the Islanders following the KHL playoffs but his pro future is uncertain at this point. Petrov's size and physical approach is well-suited for the smaller surfaces in North America but he turns 26 in April and it is not likely he returns to North America without some assurance that he will play in the NHL.