Bausov’s first full post-draft campaign was cut short by injury, limiting him to 18 MHL games after what looked to be a promising start. When healthy, he was deployed in a top-four role at MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg with some special teams usage – a meaningful marker at his age. The physical profile remains the headline: a 6-5 frame with strong skating and exceptional reach that projects to a shutdown role at the NHL level. Offensive development is the gap, relying mainly on quick passing and a workable point shot. A full summer of rehab and training should have him ready for a bigger role in 2026-27.

Bausov made an appearance during the Carolina Hurricanes Development Camp and showed why he was taken so highly. He’s a strong skater, being able to cover large amounts of ground quickly. Combine that with his hulking reach and size and you have the physical tools for a shutdown defenseman, which Bausov projects to be. He needs to keep developing his offensive skill set, which mainly relies on quick, short passes and a decent shot, but the outline for an effective NHL player is there. He projects to spend another season with MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg, the MHL affiliate of Dynamo St. Petersburg.