CSKA Moskva 9th year Russian-born left wing Kirill Petrov(27) is under contract for a 2nd season but his playing rights for North America are retained by New York Islanders, who signed him to a one-year entry level deal for 2015/2016 and issued a qualifying offer at the end of the season to keep him in the system.
He was a late cut from the Isles‘ training camp but matters went south once he reported to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The fairly sizable 6’3″ 200 lbs. power forward played with enough grit and intensity but it was easy to tell he was unhappy playing in the minors after spending his whole career in the KHL.
Playing most of his hockey for hometown Ak Bars Kazan, he started with them a a junior player before joining the pro squad in 2008/2009 and winning back-to-back 2009 (no playoff games) and 2010 Gagarin Cup Championships.
He stayed with them for the first 7 years before leaving to see if he could make an NHL dream come true but after being reassigned continued for only 13 AHL games before requesting a return to Russia and split.
It’s completely unlikely the 26-year will return to these shores unless he’s guaranteed a spot with the parent club on a one-way deal.