Vsevolod Matveyev (D, R, 6’2″, 191, MHK Spartak Moskva, 12/28/2007) Vsevolod Matveyev is a 6’2′, 191-pound right-shot defenseman who has spent the 2025/26 season playing in the MHL, VHL, and briefly the KHL, which is obviously a positive developmental path for a late 2007 defenseman. Physically he has a pro-ready frame with the ability to continue adding strength and mass. His production has been modest offensively, recording 12 points in 36 MHL games and just one assist in 24 VHL appearances, while his four-game KHL sample produced no points and a -2 rating. However, his impact comes from defensive reliability and puck management rather than putting up points. His 57% puck battle win rate shows his competes in the corners, along the walls and at the top of the crease. His 90% pass completion rate shows he plays a composed, efficient puck-moving game. He creates controlled breakouts and high percentage first passes rather than forcing risky plays. His 5.7 takeaways per game clearly show his puck anticipation and defensive awareness which allow him to disrupt possession, recover pucks and start clean transition. Matveyev has a chance to become an NHL player because he is that coveted right-shot defensemen with size, efficient puck movement, and strong defensive habits, and everyone knows those traits are hard to find. His ability to win battles, maintain composure with the puck, and play structured defensive minutes gives him a foundation that NHL development staffs value. However, there are also limitations in his game. His offensive ceiling is modest, as he does not generate scoring chances, has limited vision in layered passing opportunities, and his shot from the point does not create secondary scoring opportunities. While he competes physically and uses his size effectively, he is still searching for that coveted mean streak. Additionally, although his puck management is efficient, his involvement in offensive transition and play-driving situations remains very limited, which caps his potential upside as today’s NHL defenseman must be involved in the second level of the rush. Ultimately, Matveyev projects as a defense-first prospect with average NHL size and reliable puck management whose path to the NHL would likely come through consistency, penalty-kill value, and structured minutes because at this point he is not providing much offense. If his physical strength and confidence with the puck continue to grow while maintaining his defensive detail, he could develop into a depth NHL defenseman capable of being called up to play minutes, but without growth in offensive contribution or overall impact, I feel he projects as depth piece who will have to be mean to move into the NHL picture.