Florida Panthers: It’s Bogdan Kiselevich’s Time to Shine
By Sam Golub
Following the recent Alexander Petrovic trade, bottom-pairing defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich will be given the opportunity to play on the Florida Panthers’ third pairing on a game-by-game basis.
Kiselevich, despite playing relatively well for the majority of the current season, often found himself in-and-out of the Florida Panthers lineup on a consistent basis.
However, considering the defenseman who frequently replaced Kiselevich in the lineup, Alex Petrovic, is currently property of the Edmonton Oilers, Bogdan will likely avoid being healthy scratched every other game.
Bogdan was acquired in the summer as an unrestricted free agent from the KHL’s CSKA Moscow and has impressed thus far with the Cats in his first career season in the NHL and on North American ice.
The inexpensive ($925k) Russian born defenseman has amassed a decent offensive slash line of 0G, 6A, for 6 points in 26 games. Additionally, Bogdan has produced 15 blocked shots and 37 total hits while averaging 14:52 ATOI per game played in – more than 2 minutes less than Petrovic.
Bogdan Kiselevich is considered the superior defenseman to Alex Petrovic in a majority of offensive and defensive categories.
Kiselevich has a better plus/minus rating of -2, whereas Petrovic’s rating was an uninspiring -8. While Petrovic does block more shots (42) and produces more hits (86), he isn’t a smooth skating defenseman who can limit scoring chances and turnovers, which explains why Petro was healthy scratched quite often.
In essence, Kiselevich is a more consistent defenseman who provides more value on both ends of the ice. He’s only 28-years-old and is substantially cheaper while being a productive force on defense in limited playing time.
Bogdan hardly turns over the puck as frequently as Petrovic does and ultimately deserves more playing time than the recently acquired Chris Wideman – who’s labeled as the weaker defensive-defenseman with limited offensive prowess.
Furthermore, Kiselevich will only continue to improve at the NHL level as he’s gradually continuing to adjust to a smaller ice rink and different playing styles in North America.
Moreover, this recent Petrovic trade suggests that the Panther management and coaching staff possess more confidence in Kiselevich’s abilities rather than Petrovic’s.
If Bogdan Kiselevich progresses in his development, then the Florida Panthers could potentially explore a possible extension with the renown, internationally recognized shut-down defenseman.
Objectively speaking, Kiselevich undoubtedly provides the Cats with a greater chance of winning and success, especially on Florida’s third pair with the defensive-minded Mark Pysyk.
Kiselevich has done a phenomenal job in terms of creating some scoring chances offensively (underrated passing ability) and contributing defensively by distributing bone-crushing body checks and breaking up quality scoring opportunities for the opposition.
With the opportunity of playing consistently and not sitting out games, Kiselevich will most likely adapt and thrive as an effective bottom-pairing defenseman and penalty killer, as well.
Kiselevich will provide much-needed stability on the defense corps for the Florida Panthers, a team which desperately desires improved play from its defensemen.
While Petrovic was certainly a fan-favorite blue-liner, Bogdan Kiselevich will undoubtedly develop the trust, admiration, and support from all of Panthers Nation relatively soon.
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The present and the future undeniably seem promising for the Russian native Bogdan Kiselevich and the Florida Panthers.