Yakupov hurt

[fungchen3]

The good news for Yakupov is he probably won't take too many hits like that in NHL.

[SeaDawg]

I love Yakupov, and the hit was an elbow to the head, but young players who rule the CHL often need to adjust their style when they make it to the NHL. You CANNOT cut across the middle of the ice with your head down. Just ask Lindros. Taylor Hall does this all the time and he's been nailed a few times already. If Hall doesn't stop doing that, his career will be cut short. Yakupov needs to learn this too.

I hope he will be ok. I also hope that they don't rush him back into the lineup so that he has time to recover from this concussion. (Yes, I'm already calling it a concussion even though nothing is official). Poor kid.

[slufoot]

Agreed SeaDawg. The only one in the arena that didn't see that hit coming was Yakupov, and that's because he was bent over looking at the puck cutting across the slot.

I'd be surprised if he's back before the Sting's 2nd round series (or at least gm 7 vs Owen Sound, if it goes that far). Based on talent and what I saw tonight, Sarnia should have no problem beating Owen Sound in the 1st round unless Binnington stands on his head. That should give Yakupov a good 3-4 wks rest before he returns.

And for the record, there was nothing wrong with that hit IMO. Principle point of contact was the head, but when you're skating forward, bent at the waist, looking straight down, your head is always going to be the first thing that gets hit. The one good thing is that it didn't look like his head hit the ice when it snapped back - so hopefully, its a concussion of the minor variety and he's back soon.

[Dean Youngblood]

I didn't find the hit overly bad either but in the OHL it's all about eliminating any headshots/contact to the head so I would expect Halmo to receive a suspension of some sort especially considering he's already on record.

Just the way Branch runs the OHL. Dougie Hamilton (not a dirty player) was suspended 10 games in January for a lesser hit. The rationale for the discipline was: check to the head, vulnerable player and player injured on the play.
http://ontariohockeyleague.com/video...cb900bfbf75982

Based on that hit alone, I would expect to see a similar suspension (whether I agree or not). You can make the argument that contact to the head was made, he was in a vulnerable position and well, the leagues' most premier player was injured on the player. Now, Yakupov DID put himself in a vulnerable position and the contact to the head was likely not intentional (hard to prove anyways) but in the OHL those things rarely matter.

Yakupov makes this kind of move usually once a game and he's had success eluding these types of checks or getting the shot off and standing up his opponent but he's going to have to limit this tendency to stay healthy.

All you have to do is browse through the OHL Discipline video to see that the OHL has no tolerance. Definitely different standards than most other leagues. Here's another (similar) hit (without contact to the head) http://ontariohockeyleague.com/video...8642a25f73927b

The player received 8 games.

[fungchen3]

Deaner, seems like Yakupov has taken his share of abuse with Sarnia. Does he need to adjust his style for the big show or is it mostly bad luck?

[Dean Youngblood]

Deaner, seems like Yakupov has taken his share of abuse with Sarnia. Does he need to adjust his style for the big show or is it mostly bad luck?

He will certainly need to adjust in some areas. Yakupov is targeted heavily in the OHL but that's not going to change at the next level when opponents are bigger, tougher and more skilled.

He makes these cuts to the middle almost every game and attacks aggressively one-on-one or even one-on-two, one-on-three by going right at his opponents. He's fearless when on the attack.

Yakupov will likely have to realize that he won't be able to run and gun as much as he does in the OHL and he'll need to use his hockey sense by slowing down his attack using his teammates more through passing to open up lanes for himself.

He's a smart player but at times (unless he's on the powerplay) he can be a little too aggressive and eager to score. Slowing down his game could help him earn extra time and space on the ice. Yakupov has the skating ability and hands to let his defenders/opponents come to him rather than him just blowing by (or through) them all of the time.

Either way, his playing style is going to lead to injuries regardless. Combine intensity + aggressive + ridiculous speed and you have a hockey players that will have injuries. Not to mention, Yakupov comes in at 5-11 and 190 lbs.

It shouldn't scare you off but its something that people need to realize.

[wendelclark17]

From twitter,

Big blow to the Sting

“@SNPatrickKing: As per Sam Cosentino, Nail Yakupov will miss the rest of the regular season.”

[Big Ev]

From twitter,

Big blow to the Sting

“@SNPatrickKing: As per Sam Cosentino, Nail Yakupov will miss the rest of the regular season.”

Just 3 more games, though.

[wendelclark17]

Just 3 more games, though.

Right .... Was thinking there were more games left than that, not a big deal then as long as he can go in the playoffs.

[wendelclark17]

from twitter:

Jim Parker ‏ @winstarparker
#OHL hands Owen Sound #Attack leading scorer Mike Halmo a 10-game suspension for his hit on top prospect Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia #Sting.

[Big Ev]

Spoke to Halmo's brother today and he and Mike are not happy

[doulos]

Spoke to Halmo's brother today and he and Mike are not happy

I am sure Yakupov feels bad about that.