Yamamoto

[jarja]

Never really paid much attention to this guy, it always sounded like he had go potential, but seems to be having a tough time. Is there still some decent potential to be had here or is he looking like he won’t be an impact fantasy player.

[LEAFS225]

I think he's a second line player who still has some room to grow but the lack of PP1 time caps his upside and he won't ever have very much multi-cat value. I would guess he settles in to being a 45-55 point player with a couple higher seasons mixed in.

[pmorrow]

Yeah, I think he could spike at some point but 45-50 is probably where he settles in. If he can start shooting more he could be a nice secondary piece in leagues. Not expecting a ton though, but watching him early on he does have a creative spark that should keep him in the middle six most of his career.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Sorry to tease, but I will be covering him via a deep dive in a Goldipucks column when Bubble Keeper week occurs in August, so stay tuned!

[metaldude26]

Great complementary piece, but not an individual driver so it'll be hard for him to consistently hit another level. The Oilers' big guns love playing with him because he's a puck hound so it guarantees high end exposure, but there are better options on the PP so that caps the upside as well. He actually does pretty good for hits/PIM averaging about 1.25 hits/g and 0.5 PIM/g, but the lack of shot volume hurts here, and caps what he can do from a goal-scoring standpoint as well.

Scoring for him has been all over the map with some sophomore struggles after exploding on that Nuge-Draisaitl line as a rookie. Seems to have settled into that second line scoring rate of around 1.5-1.8 P/60 so he'll be streaky. Probably looking at a Jake Debrusk type trajectory with exposure to elites, high upside, but inconsistent production and lack of PP1 minutes.

[Bubba55]

Great complementary piece, but not an individual driver so it'll be hard for him to consistently hit another level. The Oilers' big guns love playing with him because he's a puck hound so it guarantees high end exposure, but there are better options on the PP so that caps the upside as well. He actually does pretty good for hits/PIM averaging about 1.25 hits/g and 0.5 PIM/g, but the lack of shot volume hurts here, and caps what he can do from a goal-scoring standpoint as well.

Scoring for him has been all over the map with some sophomore struggles after exploding on that Nuge-Draisaitl line as a rookie. Seems to have settled into that second line scoring rate of around 1.5-1.8 P/60 so he'll be streaky. Probably looking at a Jake Debrusk type trajectory with exposure to elites, high upside, but inconsistent production and lack of PP1 minutes.

This is a nice analysis and I like the Debrusk comparison. He'll likely have more value in a multi cat scoring format than a Pts only. I don't think HoH is in the cards but he should have a good career as a secondary complimentary type player. Still only 23, he is just hitting his prime. I think he can provide what the Oilers expected when they drafted him 22nd overall. Not a star, but a player nonetheless.

[chorndawg]

You never know what can happen with McDavid and Drai on the team. Could be just a 45pt guy like some are suggesting, but there is the potential for some great seasons next to those two, if things break right.

[deantime419]

You never know what can happen with McDavid and Drai on the team. Could be just a 45pt guy like some are suggesting, but there is the potential for some great seasons next to those two, if things break right.

All the wingers in Edmonton get a significant boost for that "if things click" season, even if they don't get significant PP time.
I think Yam will have one or two.

[chorndawg]

If I remember correctly he was something like ppg for around half the season a few years back. He was playing with RNH and Drai at the time.