[ELC Signing] Nail Yakupov signs 3-year with Oilers

[dodospice]

Very excited to see Yakupov suit up.

[doulos]

Ovechkin's whole family moved to Washington with him. If that it helps him concentrate on being a better hockey player then that's great news!

Didn't know that at all. Interesting!

[kushmoney]

Alot of those guys are probably coming from terrible situations, so to move the family to US is probably a goal of all of them. Odds are thats why they might even play hockey. Of course I am not sure of each specific situation, but I know that a lot of Russia is not luxurious. Thats just me speculation of course, and could be an ignorant assumption.

Whats Yaks goal/assist predictions. I think he could possibly get 20 goals depending on if he starts in Edmonton.

[dyzfunctioned]

Alot of those guys are probably coming from terrible situations, so to move the family to US is probably a goal of all of them. Odds are thats why they might even play hockey. Of course I am not sure of each specific situation, but I know that a lot of Russia is not luxurious. Thats just me speculation of course, and could be an ignorant assumption.

Whats Yaks goal/assist predictions. I think he could possibly get 20 goals depending on if he starts in Edmonton.

I'd bet the over on the 20 goals mark. He'll be playing with two of Hall/Hemsky/Gagner/RNH/Eberle, will be given sheltered minutes, and has an absolutely ridiculous shot. Personally, I expect him to have a better rookie season than Hall (22G 20A 42P in 65GP).

[kushmoney]

Wow consider me in on Yak then.

I have 1st pick in my 8 player keeper league and am planning on taking him.

[dyzfunctioned]

Wow consider me in on Yak then.

I have 1st pick in my 8 player keeper league and am planning on taking him.

It's tough to throw out an estimate on g/a totals because, frankly, 1st overall EDM rookies haven't had a good history of playing full seasons thus far haha. Hall played 65 and RNH played 62.

If Yak played a full season I could see him hit 65... but I'll go with an estimate of 69 GP 26G, 24A, 50P.

[kushmoney]

It's tough to throw out an estimate on g/a totals because, frankly, 1st overall EDM rookies haven't had a good history of playing full seasons thus far haha. Hall played 65 and RNH played 62.

If Yak played a full season I could see him hit 65... but I'll go with an estimate of 69 GP 26G, 24A, 50P.

I havent watched much of him, just from what I read on here and on sites. Their 1st overalls certainly do not have a good injury history though, touche.

Its amazing that they've had such a string of high picks and yet still do not try to get a defensemen. Once they get themselves some nice blue liners, they will be a force. I understand they couldn't pass on Yaks but Murray had to be enticing for Edmonton.

[dyzfunctioned]

I havent watched much of him, just from what I read on here and on sites. Their 1st overalls certainly do not have a good injury history though, touche.

Its amazing that they've had such a string of high picks and yet still do not try to get a defensemen. Once they get themselves some nice blue liners, they will be a force. I understand they couldn't pass on Yaks but Murray had to be enticing for Edmonton.

Top end defensemen aren't easy to get - we have plenty of second/third pairing guys.

Hell, look at Philly - looking for a #1 d-man and threw out two $100M+ contract offers and struck out on both. Top pairing d-men don't grow on trees, that's for sure.

But if Smid stays true to form from last year, and Petry continues to develop, and Schultz proves effective... it's a lot of ifs... but if it all comes together, we'll at least have a serviceable d-corps next year.

Also I'm a big Murray fan but the gap between him and Yak was huge... the BPA available in the past 3 drafts has been a forward, and by a large margin at that.

[kushmoney]

yea they couldnt pass from what I read...schultz was a great nab for them.