BREAKING: Edmonton Oilers center player inked a contract with KHL team.

Edmonton Oilers center player inked a contract with KHL team

There are some surprising reports out of Russia this morning that Edmonton Oilers prospect Bogdan Yakimov has re-signed with his KHL team Nizhnekamsk Neftekimik.

The contract, a one year deal, might come as a surprise for some Oilers fans who, at one point in time, envisioned Yakimov playing in the NHL for the Oilers. The 6’4”, 200 lb center plays a big game down the middle of the ice and Hockey’s Future describes him as having “strong hockey sense and good positional play, which makes up for his sub-par skating skills.”

While Yakimov was considered a tantalizing prospect coming out of his draft year in 2013, his stock had dropped considerably since then. During his two seasons in North America playing for the Oilers’ AHL affiliates in Oklahoma City and Bakersfield, Yakimov managed only 17 goals and 43 points in 93 games. Since returning to Russia on loan from the Oilers he’s put up 6 goals and 15 points in 61 games over two seasons for Nizhnekamsk Neftekimik.

Given his new deal it appears as though Yakimov has given up on the opportunity to play in the NHL and will likely play out the rest of his once promising career in Russia.