Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?

Every team wants long defensemen who can really skate, and Simashev checks both of those boxes as a mobile 6-foot-5 lefty. He’s a rangy, smooth-skating defenseman who played 18 KHL games in his draft year, was great in the MHL playoffs and played full-time in the KHL over the last two years to good results for a defenseman his age, averaging just under 15 minutes in 2023-24 and just under 16 in 2024-25. Though his numbers didn’t take a step last year and his statistical profile remains modest, he has played to good defensive results on a top team while featuring regularly on the penalty kill. He’s still only 20 and has already defended at a strong level in a top league. He’s also comfortable playing both sides.

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