[Sandman]

LHD Kirill Kirsanov,6'1"198lbs (SKA St.Petersburg, KHL): Kirsanov is one of the oldest players in the draft, with a September birthday, and has the most KHL experience of all prospects this year, with 29 games. He made an appearance in this years WJC (2pts in 7 games), and was one of Coach Igor Larionov's favorites, playing the third-most ice-time on the team on a solid pairing with San Jose prospect, Artem Knyazev-and stealing the thunder from hyped prospect, Daniil Chayka. Kirsanov is a calming influence, and a minute-muncher, but is also polarizing for scouts.

Kirsanov is a good skater, who closes gaps, wins races, and shows good edges to cut away from attackers. He owns a powerful stride, and fluid 4-way ability. He's well-balanced, and strong on his feet, and has shown good elusiveness through the neutral zone. A simple and effective passer, and puck-mover, he's calm and poised with the puck on his stick. In the WJC, his puck game was as good as anyone's. He makes a solid first-pass, and exhibits good puck-possession and control. He specializes in bank-passes. His strength is easily among the best in this age group, and he excels in board-battles, and in clearing the crease. He's very competitive and physical, and throws his weight around.

Kirsanov makes good decisions, and reads the play well in all 3 zones-he knows when to hold the line, or retreat- or when to make a successful pinch. Puts himself in good position everywhere, and does good things on the rush, and is calm on the cycle. He shows no panic in his game, and is poised- even with a forecheck coming at him. He's great at defending the blue-line, and breaking up cycles- strong shot-blocker, and takes away lanes with his active stick and top-notch positioning. Understands where to be in the D zone, his awareness is high-end. He's aggressive, and piles on the pressure. Many times in a game, he can break up the charge (or the cycle), and turn the play back the other way. Has no problem playing in traffic, or stickhandling through it.

Kirsanov has a weird hitch in his puck-handling that is very detrimental to his game, according to many scouts. Apparently, he holds his stick in a funny way that leads to instances of bad puck-reception, fumbling of the puck, bungled exits, and bad passes. It seems that he often reads the play the way he should, but isn't able to execute the way he wants to, and this takes a big chunk out of his offensive game. He apparently looks like he's fighting the puck a lot, and it limits him from taking chances and making plays in the O-zone. This problem keeps him out of the first two rounds, where Grushnikov is. Kirsanov's problem can be coached out of him, and the team that takes him will be aware of that, and with time, he could develop an offensive dimension, giving him an impressive two-way game, and a draft steal. While Kirsanov exhibits good skating ability, it's not at the same level as Grushnikov's, so there is room to make it even better. His consistency is also a big issue, as a scout will give a scathing review one game, and a glowing review the next, that sounds like a different player altogether. Lots to like, if he can work on his shortcomings. Look for him in the 3rd/4th round.