If you don't know this Oilers prospect you're sleeping on him
Nikita Yesveyev, a sixth-round draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2022, is currently signed with the KHL until 2024-2025.
During his draft year, he played in the VHL, which is similar to the AHL, and in 2022-2023, he spent most of the season with the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan franchise.
As an 18-year-old, Yesveyev just finished his first season in the KHL, so it's normal for him to experience some growing pains.
However, there is a limited sample size to go by. Vladislav Gavrikov, a KHL defender with a similar path to the NHL, only played 16 games in the KHL during his draft year and has seen considerable playoff time.
Yesveyev's abilities as a skater, with his big body, make him a valuable asset in all zones of the ice. He is also an excellent four-way skater, and his shot is accurate and effective even from a distance.
His ability to stifle attackers and disrupt passing lanes is another indication of his skills. During the KHL playoffs, the second-best league in the world, he was on the ice for nine goals and only one goal against.
Yesveyev could end up being a late-round steal for the Edmonton Oilers, should he pan out as planned.
As Seen On: oilersnation.com
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