Subway Super Series: Maxim Kitsyn

The Kings may have missed out on Ilya Kovalchuk in the off-season but they have their own high-scoring Russian left winger garnering alot of attention at the annual Subway Super Series.  The Super Series is a six game exhibition between the best Russian junior players and All-Star teams from the OHL, WHL, & QMJHL.

Maxim Kitsyn, a 6th round pick of the Kings at the 2010 Draft, recorded two goals and an assist in Russia's 5-4 win over the QMJHL and earned the star of the game for the Russian squad.  Kitysn, led the event with four goals in six games last season.  Read my initial impressions of Kitsyn at Development Camp back in July.  Russianprospects.com provides this scouting report of Kitsyn.

A power forward with smooth hands...good skater, doesn't have a great technique of skating, but has a good top speed and acceleration...good balance, it's not easy to knock him off the puck, but he needs to work on that as well...must improve his defensive commitment and play...he has a promising frame, but needs to bulk up and play more physical...soft hands, can bring up the puck and dribble past blue liners...rarely exaggerates with the puck, unlike many other Russian junior players...excellent finishing touch around the crease...can get in front of the goalie and score after a rebound...quick wrist shot and one timer...passive on defense, but not bad forechecker...an interesting player that can potentially play also on checking lines if he works on the defensive coverage...

Kitsyn was drafted 17th overall by the Mississsauga St. Michael's Majors at the 2010 CHL Import Draft but remained in the KHL.  He actually grabbed alot of fan's attention with his hat-trick last week playing for Metallurg.

Other Kings prospects at the Subway Super Series:  Defenseman Nicolas Deslauriers, an 8th round pick in 2009, scored a goal for the Q.  Goaltender Jean-Francois Berube, a 4th round pick in 2010, played 29 minutes for Team QMJHL giving up two goals on 14 shots.  Check out highlights from the Russia-QMJHL game and analysis.