If you’re not familiar with the name Ziyat Paigin, you’re not alone. The 21-year-old Russian defenseman who was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft as an overage player is as far from a household name as it gets. But that could soon change.
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After going undrafted in 2013 and 2014, the Oilers decided to take a flyer on Paigin last summer, most likely because of his mammoth 6-foot-6, 209-pound frame. A worthwhile gamble on a seventh round selection. And it’s starting to look more and more like GM Peter Chiarelli’s gamble will pay off for the Oilers.