Oilers prospect Nikita Yevseyev has been riding the bench for 3 straight games

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Finnegan Frost
September 23, 2024 (1:53 PM)

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Tough news for Russian Oilers prospect Nikita Yevseyev as the latest reports indicate he's been riding the bench for three straight games in the KHL.

Oilers propsect Nikita Yevseyev who currently represents the KHL's Kazan AK Bars has been having a tough go as of late. According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, today marked the third time that Yevseyev was dressed and sat on the bench, but recorded 0 seconds of actual ice time. Yevseyev has skated in 4 games, but has routinely had less than 3 minutes of ice time. Even in games where they've dressed 8 defenceman, Yevseyev is still benched all game.

This is not the first reported case of the KHL mistreating fellow Russian's who are drafted to the NHL. There is a big stigma that elite Russian born players should stay in their homeland to grow the strength of their own pro hockey league - and fans seeing that on display concerning Nikita Yevseyev.

The Edmonton Oilers selected the 6'1 left shot defenceman Yevseyev in the sixth round of the 2022 Draft. Although the young Russian has shown flashes of brilliance, he's struggled to gain his footing in the KHL and Oilers fans are now looking to GM Stan Bowman for aid.

This is a nightmare situation for any hockey player, let alone a young player who's been drafted to the NHL and is trying to develop their game. If this concerning trend continues, the Oilers may have to step in and find a solution to get Yevseyev to North America and save his development. Oilers fans are already asking reporters to ask the front office what the plan is to help him.

Source: Oilers Daily
Oilers prospect sits on the bench for three straight games