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After a 2014/15 campaign with Salavat Yulaev Ufa that saw him score 15 goals and add another 10 assists, it appears that Anton Slepyshev, who the Oilers selected 88th overall, in the third round of the draft two years ago, has signed an entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Nothing official has been released by the team regarding the signing yet, but coming on the heels of a report that Slepyshev is interested in leaving the KHL to join the Oilers a deal seems likely.
According to TASS F Anton Slepyshev signed ELC with #Oilers #NHL #KHL #Salavat
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) May 27, 2015
When we last checked in with Slepyshev in our Top 25 Under 25, he came in on the bubble, in the 25th position after originally landing in 18th following his draft year. There was always something there as a player, but for whatever reason he wasn’t getting the ice time and that was starting to become a concern. Whatever the reason for his lack of ice time, something changed around the New Year and his ice time jumped up to around 16:00 a night and stayed there through the end of the season.
If Slepyshev does sign a ELC with the Oilers it will be a three-year, two-way contract, and he'll likely begin his North American pro career playing in Bakersfield with the Condors, now that the Barons and Oklahoma City are a thing of the past. Slepyshev will probably slot somewhere into the Oilers farm team’s top six, a role that should allow him to, if all goes according to plan, improve on his scoring totals from this season. He'll certainly be one to watch on that team.
Update: It's official.
Oilers deal with Slepyshev is now complete. 3 yr entry level deal.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 27, 2015