Recent speculation suggested that the Edmonton Oilers were considering signing defensive prospect Nikita Yevseyev. However, according to Oilersnation's Jason Gregor, these rumors are unfounded, and the signing is not expected to occur this offseason. This contradicts an earlier report from Elite Prospects that indicated contract negotiations were underway.

Yevseyev, who was ranked 20th among Oilers prospects by Oilersnation last summer, remains an intriguing but uncertain prospect. The left-shot winger, born on May 10, 2004, has the potential to join the Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, if signed.

Since being drafted, the 21-year-old has divided his time between the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) in Russia. He has played 47 VHL games, recording two goals and 15 points, and 105 KHL games, with seven goals and 12 points. Last season, he played 38 games for Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL but currently does not have a contract for the 2025-26 season. This situation raises concerns given his age and the fact that he has been struggling to secure consistent ice time.

Yevseyev has been described as "a good, but not great prospect". While he possesses the size and skating ability suitable for the AHL, it is unclear whether these attributes will translate to the NHL.

Several factors contribute to the Oilers' lack of urgency in signing Yevseyev. The team holds his NHL rights indefinitely. Additionally, there is already a surplus of defensemen in Bakersfield, including Josh Brown, Alec Regula, and Beau Akey on the right side, and Riley Stillman, Arto Leppanen, and Damien Carfagna on the left side.

Bruce Curlock of Oilersnation noted that while Yevseyev has AHL size, skating, and defensive abilities, it is difficult to get a strong read on him. Curlock found encouragement in Yevseyev's return to playing 10 minutes per night with AK Bars in the KHL, suggesting that more games would allow Oilers management to better evaluate him.

Given these circumstances, Yevseyev's immediate future appears to lie overseas, and the Oilers seem to be focusing on other priorities as they finalize their plans for training camp.