Report: Islanders Trying To Raid The KHL, Targeting Pair Of Big, Young Forwards
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A mystery man for several years, it finally looks like Kirill Petrov is coming to the NHL.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, the big winger is expected to sign with the New York Islanders. Newsday later confirmed what could be the timetable for his arrival.
According to TASS Kirill Petrov finally agreed on terms of contract termination with #AkBars of the #KHL and will sign with the #Isles today
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) June 8, 2015
Following up @IgorEronko's report, #Isles cannot sign Kirill Petrov until July 1. But no reason to doubt he'll sign then.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 8, 2015
The Isles selected Petrov in the third round, No. 73 overall, of the 2008 draft. At the time he was considered a high-end prospect, but his stock took a hit because of the contract he had with the KHL's AK Bars Kazan.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder's production in Russia's top league has been met with scrutiny as he never scored more than 16 goals or 29 points in a season since starting to play full-time in the KHL in 2010-11.
So it's difficult to predict how the 25-year-old Russian will fit with the Islanders, assuming he even makes the team out of training camp. Some experts have Petrov projected as a bottom six forward, though his skill set has suggested he could be more of a scorer, given the right linemates.
According to Newsday, 24-year-old Latvian winger Miks Indrasis, who had 31 points in 59 games this season for the KHL's Dynamo Riga, will be at training camp with the Isles this fall. Indrasis, a 6-4, 190-pounder, has flirted with NHL clubs before, attending camp with the Chicago Blackhawks' in 2012 and the following year with the Vancouver Canucks.
Also confirmed many reports that Latvian F Miks Indrasis will be at #Isles camp. Indrasis, 24, played last 5 seasons for Dynamo Riga in KHL.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 8, 2015
@FedFedRMNB that's not a big secret, Indrasis has offer from #Isles
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) June 5, 2015
The Islanders enjoyed their best regular season in 30 years during the 2014-15 season, finishing with 101 points. However, the number of years without a playoff series win grew to 22 after New York was bounced in the first round by Washington in seven games.
As opposed to last summer, when general manager Garth Snow pulled off daring trades and threw money around during free agency and then later during the regular season, the Islanders will likely have more refined targets on their shopping list this time around. They will likely be in the market for a veteran defenseman and a backup goaltender, but could also look to move on a high-end forward on the trade front, given that superstar center John Tavares has had a revolving door of linemates since his rookie season in 2009-10.