LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Kirill Kirsanov

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Kirill Kirsanov!

Birthdate: September 19, 2002

Draft: 3rd round, 84th overall, 2021 NHL Draft

*NOTE: Since August 23rd, my Mom has picked the order of the training camp player previews for the Reign players because I couldn’t figure out what order to do them in. So, I asked for her assistance. Today, she chose Kirill Kirsanov!

After four years of wondering if Kirill Kirsanov would make his way to the States, those thoughts were answered. Kirsanov signed his two-year entry-level contract after his KHL and VHL season concluded. I had never seen Kirsanov play because of other commitments and the time difference between Russia and California, so I had to trust the scouting reports and my own eyes when I watched him.

Kirsanov, 23, fit well in the Ontario Reign lineup. His defensive partners shuffled to start the season, but he spent a good amount of time with veteran Kyle Burroughs before Burroughs suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in December. Reign head coach Andrew Lord paired the Russian with second-year pro Angus Booth, and the duo formed a formidable pairing at 5v5 after already having good chemistry on the penalty kill.

FIRST AHL GOAL FOR KIRILL KIRSANOV!!

THAT’S FOR KIRILL!!

The two logged plenty of minutes, and Kirsanov held his own individually. His skating looked solid. His first pass didn’t seem too rushed for most of the time, and he had a high IQ with his stick placement. It was a solid year for the first-year pro in North America. In 68 games, he recorded 13 points (4 G, 9 A) and suited up for all five of Ontario’s playoff games.

3-2 ONT

Kirsanov will start the year in Ontario, with a crowded blue line on the left side. The Kings have playing time to distribute among him, Booth, Jakub Dvorak, and Jared Woolley, and are also expected to have Joe Hicketts and Scott Perunovich (both need to clear waivers) on the roster. That will be the AHL club’s fascinating storyline. It’ll be a good problem for head coach Lord to have. When in the lineup, I expect Kirsanov to provide steady defense with some offense, but the latter shouldn’t be highly anticipated.