Oilers' prospect ranks 9th-best overall in under-23 category

In his first 12 games with the KHL's Amur Khabarovsk, the steady defenseman recorded five points, with TOI of 21:35, the most on his team in the season-opening game, including two blocks and 4:16 of powerplay, contributing to a 2-0 victory.

Given his body type and style of play, Nikita is able to handle big players on the small, NHL ice surface. Yevseyev is also an excellent four way skater who can transition from lateral to forward-backwards skating without loss of pace, or balance.

The Edmonton Oilers' selected Yevseyev in the sixth-round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He is unsigned by the Oilers, however, and split the 2024-25 season between the KHL and VHL, playing the majority of his games with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL.

Whether his skills will translate at the NHL level remains to be seen. Yevseyev has all the tools to be an NHL player, like overall awareness and positioning, and moving the puck in transition.

Yet, it is just a question of whether he will come to North America and leave Russia. The KHL is the second-best league in the world, and his development should benefit as he prepares for the NHL.

According to one scouting report, Yevseyev is a very smooth skating defender. He is really good at defending his blueline and makes a very nice first pass. He has an excellent understanding of space and time, and is able to make passes in tight spaces. This all bodes well for the Oilers.

By all accounts, Nikita is a solid prospect for Edmonton, though he remains unsigned at the age of twenty-one.