Nikita Shcherbakov – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Nikita Shcherbakov

2025-26 Team: Toros Neftekhamsk (VHL)
Date of Birth: October 23, 2007
Place of Birth: Chelyabinsk, Russia
Ht: 6-foot-5 Wt: 187 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

With his size and mobility, Nikita Shcherbakov impressed this season. He also showed unusual composure for such a young player playing a professional game. The Chelyabinsk native made his debut in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) this season, playing seven games for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Shcherbakov made an impact in just a couple of contests, but he didn’t look out of place, proving that he can play in a more demanding environment at a higher pace.

Nevertheless, the big-framed defenseman spent most of the season with Toros Neftekamsk, Salavat Yulaev’s affiliate in the Russian second league, where he showed composure, great mobility, and a high level of maturity, even scoring a hat-trick in February, setting a league record for such a young blueliner.

Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide

That said, it’s hard to imagine Shcherbakov as a defenseman who will be scoring hat-tricks in the NHL. He remains a defensive-minded player who makes great use of his mobility to anticipate plays in the defensive zone, avoid opposition players flying past the defense, and make fast changes of possession with his excellent skating and first touch.

However, he needs to bulk up to make better use of his frame. He is very tall at 6-foot-5 and has a great reach, but he needs to build some mass and play a more physical game to become even more of a force, especially if he can elevate his physical game to match his skating.

Nikita Shcherbakov – NHL Draft Projection

Because of his height and smooth skating, Shcherbakov has attracted comparisons to two other Russian defensemen recently drafted pretty high, New Jersey’s Anton Silayev (10th overall in 2024) and Utah Mammoth’s Dmitri Simashev (6th overall in 2023). However, it’s unlikely that he will be picked as high, given his limited physical play, exposure, and overall maturity. Expect Shcherbakov’s name to be called early on the second day.

Quotables

“The pinnacle of Shcherbakov’s profile is likely his skating ability. Vaulting him from a rangy, shutdown defender to a player capable of moments of transitional dominance, he has a strong understanding of how to utilize his feet on both sides of the puck.” – Dylan Griffing

“While Nikita has ideal size for a defenseman, it sometimes looks as though he’s still getting used to his own body. Shcherbakov makes good quick reads on the breakout and also shows patience in order for passing lanes to open. Nikita has a good defensive stick in transition, closes gaps quickly and effectively. Struggles with the physicality of playing in a men’s league at times. ” – Zak Egan

Strengths

• Smooth skating, especially for a player of his size
• A great body-in-the-making, even if he needs to bulk up
• Can play the puck across the ice

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

• Must improve his positioning and general defensive awareness
• Physical play is somewhat lacking, but can be improved

NHL Potential

Nikita Shcherbakov has the skating skills, body, and composure to grow into a top-four defenseman with a shutdown role. He needs some seasoning in the KHL with decent ice time, and some work in the gym to bulk up what could become an above-average NHL size in a couple of seasons.

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk: 3/5 Reward: 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense: 4/10 Defense: 8/10

Nikita Shcherbakov Stats