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Tkachev will be a healthy scratch on Friday.
Vladimir Tkachev News
On Tuesday, Tkachev's contract was ruled ineligible by the NHL.
Tkachev was not eligible for a contract because he spent part of last season in Russia. Being ineligible to be signed forced the Oilers to release Tkachev from his tryout and sent him back to Moncton (QMJHL). Tkachev will be eligible for next year's draft, where he should be drafted this time around, after a strong showing in Oilers' camp.
The Oilers signed Vladimir Tkachev to a three-year entry level contract.
Tkachev, 18, is undersized (5-foot-8, 165 lbs.) and despite having 1st round potential, his size scared teams off so much so that he went undrafted. The Oilers invited him to camp and he has dazzled. He picked up four assists in four rookie camp games and has recorded three assists in three preseason games. Small, talented forwards are not strangers to the Oilers and inviting him to camp seems to have been a great idea at this point. He is extremely elusive with electric hands and a lightning release, the question is can he be a productive full-time NHLer with such a small frame.