#LAKings LA Kings Select Kirill Kirsanov No. 84 – What You Need to Know (MayorsManor)

Interesting…
LA Kings take Defenseman Kirill Kirsanov at 84
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) July 24, 2021

Cost to move up to 84 was LA's sixth rounder.
They're out of picks today.
Quality over quantity. Executed their morning game plan.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) July 24, 2021

Guess who Kirill Kirsanov was teammates with last season in the KHL… https://t.co/vWVbQhKIvO
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) July 24, 2021

More on LA Kings latest pick Kirill Kirsanov from well-respected scout…
Good straight line skating. Has a strong base. Smart, quick puck movement; gets it going up ice fast. Also strong def positioning. Brings a consistent physical play – more heavy presence than big hitter.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) July 24, 2021

Kirill Kirsanov was my highest remaining player, listed at No. 36. He's a defensive defenseman, but I do think there's a chance for him to find some more offense. Really like his skating and overall hockey intelligence. Played a decent role in the KHL. Kings get him at No. 84.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) July 24, 2021

Kirsanov is a very confident and poised defenseman when the puck is on his stick. He looks like he has ice in his veins, and is able to stickhandle the puck through traffic and around forechecking pressure to help his team exit the zone. Very good hockey sense and decision-making under pressure, he shows very little panic. He can receive passes well enough and makes a reasonable first pass.

Steady, defensive defenseman. He’s a KHL regular and it shows in the maturity of his game – he also just missed being eligible last year, so he has an age “advantage” in that sense as well. Kirsanov plays a calm, composed game and displays terrific consistency in all settings. He gaps up well and absorbs rushes with aplomb. His smarts are really on display in sudden change situations. He diagnoses where the biggest open threat might be and wastes no time trying to extinguish it. He has a really high-end processor and it helps him compensate for his relatively unamazing physical and technical traits. He’s a capable skater, but like the rest of his game, it really doesn’t pop. There’s strength and power in his stride, but it’s not very impressive mechanically. The foot churn is there and he moves laterally surprisingly well, which really aids in his minor lane adjustments necessary to maintain good gaps. His lack of smooth crossover ability through turns adds some undesirable clunk to the mix though. He regularly plays through guys and closes off players physically, even if he isn’t a big hitter – he simply does what’s necessary to end a play.

Kirsanov shows consistency in his decision making and is a reliable problem solver. He has keen instincts for activation off face offs and step-ups are usually made at the decisive point of an opposing entry. Kirsanov is a highly confident and poised defender who by the end of a given game can be considered the cleanest puck manager from either side.