Oilers Prospect Plays Only 3 Seconds of Ice Time in Ridiculous Benching
Photo credit: The Oil Rig
Oilers prospect Nikita Yevseyev is being put through the wringer this season on the KHL's Kazan AK Bars.
According to Oilers prospect expert Bruce Curlock, Yevseyev played just 3 seconds of ice time in his most recent game. It's nothing even unusual at this point, as Yevseyev has been dressed and then benched for three entire games straight this season.
Yevseyev hasn't done anything wrong to deserve this benching - it'd be nearly impossible to do so with just 3 seconds of ice time. This is just how the KHL treats young defenceman in the lineup. Veterans will get nearly all of the playing time in an effort to win, while younger defenceman are kept mostly just for depth, practices, abd emergencies.
The Oilers selected Yevseyev in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. At that time in his career, Yevseyev was playing in Russia's minor leagues, the VHL and MHL, and put up fantastic results in limited minutes. Scouts describe Yevseyev as a mobile defender that plays a rugged game, but also has offensive upside. Since he joined the KHL, his development has taken a major hit.
Fans want answers for the organization's plan with Yevseyev, as the Oilers may need to step in to bring him to North America as soon as possible to get him ice time. Since this post, no reporter has asked the Oilers their plans for Yevseyev.
It's every hockey player's worst nightmare to be dressed and then sat on the bench for an entire game - it's practically a sick punishment from the coach. Hopefully the Oilers can step in and work something out for the sake of their prospect's development, and his own sanity.
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12 OCTOBRE | 47 ANSWERS Oilers Prospect Plays Only 3 Seconds of Ice Time in Ridiculous Benching Do you think the Oilers need to step in to bring Yevseyev to North America? | ||
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