On the 2021 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers chosen Russian winger Matvei Petrov in Spherical 6, with the 180th general choose. That was over 100 picks decrease than most analysts had projected the Russian left-winger could be taken, and when Petrov went on to rack up 40 targets and 50 assists as an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) rookie with the North Bay Battalion in 2021-22, it seemed like he is likely to be the steal of his draft class.
However a few years later, after watching one other very underwhelming efficiency from Petrov, on the 2024 Younger Stars Traditional in Penticton, B.C., one can’t assist however suppose perhaps the sixth spherical is precisely the place he ought to been drafted.
Petrov went pointless over three video games on the annual exhibition occasion, which came about on the South Okanagan Occasions Centre from Sept. 13 to 16, that includes groups comprised of high prospects from the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks organizations.
Petrov Did not Impress at Younger Stars Traditional
Whereas it was a reasonably poor displaying general for the Oilers on the 2024 Younger Stars Traditional, as their squad went 0-3 and scored simply as soon as, a number of Edmonton prospects did make constructive impressions in Penticton. Petrov was not one among them.
Associated: 5 Oilers Prospects Who Made Impression at 2024 Younger Stars Traditional
The 6-foot-2 ahead was largely a non-factor on the Younger Stars Traditional, disappearing for big stretches of video games. He created just about nothing offensively, regardless of attending to play on the Oilers’ first power-play unit.
Petrov’s efficiency was significantly disappointing contemplating he’s a Younger Stars Traditional veteran. Whereas this was his third time collaborating within the occasion, tied for many amongst all gamers in Penticton, he definitely didn’t play like somebody with expertise.
He was additionally given the chance to tackle a management function, because the Oilers made him one among three alternate captains for the match. However as a substitute of setting an instance for his teammates to comply with, he grew to become visibly annoyed with how issues have been going.
Petrov Struggled in First Professional Season
All of this may occasionally come as no huge shock to anybody who watched Petrov wrestle all through his first professional season, final 12 months, with the Bakersfield Condors within the American Hockey League (AHL).
Hopes have been sky-high for Petrov after he scored 27 instances for the Battalion and completed third within the OHL with 66 assists in 2022-23. In an article on The Hockey Writers, the Russian was ranked as Edmonton’s No. 2 prospect for 2023-24.
Whereas nobody anticipated Petrov to make the Oilers out of coaching camp, there was a whole lot of pleasure to see what he may do in Bakersfield. However Petrov acquired off to a horrible begin within the AHL. He didn’t rating his first objective till after American Thanksgiving and didn’t tally once more till after New 12 months’s.
By season’s finish, Petrov had totalled simply 9 targets and 5 assists in 53 video games. He by no means had a couple of objective in a sport and was held pointless 41 instances, together with 10 straight video games between February and March.
Scouts May Have Been Proper About Petrov
Petrov was the No. 1 general choose within the 2020 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft, however the 2020-21 OHL season was delayed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So as a substitute of becoming a member of the Battalion, Petrov spent the season with Moscow Krylia Sovetov of the Junior Hockey League (MHL), the highest degree of Russian junior hockey, the place he recorded 22 targets and 20 assists in 58 video games.
There have been ideas that one cause Petrov lasted so lengthy within the 2021 NHL Draft is as a result of most scouts have been unable to see the winger a lot in individual, as he was enjoying abroad at a time when the pandemic severely restricted worldwide journey. One more reason may need been skepticism in regards to the calibre of competitors within the MHL.
Or perhaps all these groups that handed over Petrov spherical after spherical have been proper. Even the Oilers had picks within the third and fourth rounds that they elected to make use of on different gamers.
Petrov Has Alternative in Preseason
Petrov is way from the primary hockey participant to have a tough introduction to the professionals. Lots of the sport’s greats acquired off to an unremarkable begin. Every thing may click on but for Petrov, who remains to be solely 21.
Completely satisfied Campers! 😁 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/eXGHB0f1sN
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 18, 2024
However there was no signal of development on the Younger Stars Traditional. If something, it seemed like regression. Petrov now should put these struggles behind him as he takes half in Oilers coaching camp. He’s a protected guess to start out 2024-25 with the Condors, however that doesn’t imply it’s not necessary to make progress throughout Edmonton’s upcoming preseason video games.
Petrov has nice expertise, however there are parts lacking from his sport. It’s the stuff that separates a third-round choose from a sixth-rounder, or is the distinction between an NHL common and a minor leaguer.
The Oilers are studying the place Petrov is at. The 2024 preseason presents him with a chance to show that he belongs within the NHL. Edmonton’s exhibition schedule begins tomorrow (Sept. 22) at Rogers Place in opposition to Winnipeg.
