Reply With QuoteFantastic read, Dean...many thanks.
[Player Profile] Nail Yakupov: The next best name in hockey
Being a star in Sarnia has its ups and downs but the hockey world is starting to notice this electrifying star from Nizhnekamsk, Russia. TSN.ca published an article late last night after Yakupov had another spectacular game (see below).
Last night, Nail Yakupov carried Sarnia to another win which isn't easy to do for such a struggling team. Yakupov registered a point on every Sarnia Sting goal (four of them) and recorded his second straight four point night since returning from injury (concussion). The young russian star registered two first assists, a second assist and the game-winning goal!
The game-winning goal (video) was his 42nd of the season which tied him with Steven Stamkos team rookie scoring record. Yakupov will surely beat Stamkos' goal record with 11 games remaining in the regular season. With his second straight 4-point effort, Yakupov sits at 86 points through 54 games (missed two to injury and one to suspension). Stamkos recorded 92 points in 63 games during his rookie season. Yakupov needs 7 more points over his final 11 games to beat Stamkos' rookie point totals as well.
How impressive is this feat? To answer simply, VERY.
Not only does this kid have the best name in hockey (Nail Yakupov) since Clayton Stoner, Nail is proving that he will be the heavy favourite for the first-overall selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. I am convinced that Yakupov will be the next best first overall pick since Crosby was drafted - as far as pure talent goes.
Yakupov possesses a full tool box of skills and it allows him to log huge minutes for the rebuilding Sarnia Sting. To start, Yakupov is a strong skater that is difficult to put a body on in open ice. "Slippery" is a word that best describes his ability to deflect off of his defenders. There are often times when Nail is skating up the ice cutting from side to side (ala Ovechkin or Kovalchuk) and it appears that he is going to get crushed in open ice. However, when that defender attempts to hit him he simply dodges him and continues on his path to the net. Yakupov has escapeability.
The second-overall pick of the 2010 OHL Import Draft does not possess a large body frame but he plays much larger than his 5-foot-10-inch frame would suggest. Yakupov weighs in at 170-pounds but appears to have no fear of entering into the corners against larger opponents. After scouting more than a handful of his games, Yakupov confidently comes out of the corner with the puck ninety-percent of the time. Yakupov has registered 49 penalty minutes in 54 games this season and definitely has a mean side to is game as well. Yakupov is enjoying his first season playing Sarnia and the local fans appreciate the creativity, dangling puck skills and contagious enthusiam that he brings to the rink each night.
On the surface Yakupov appears to be strictly an offensive juggernault; however, if one looks closer they should be impressed by his plus-1 rating. The plus-1 rating may not appear to be that impressive but when the Sarnia Sting have been outscored 259 to 207 it is a significant accomplishment for a rookie import. (Note: Sarnia only has one other player with a plus-rating (overage defenseman Daniel Broussard)
When analyzing Yakupov's accomplishments this season one has to consider how impressive it is for a seventeen-year old import from Russia to come to a new country and perform so well - especially during clutch opportunities. Nail has been learning a new game of hockey in a brand new culture and has shown improvements in the english language since arriving last fall. Yakupov's strives to learn on and off the ice as he continues to make huge strides in becoming one of the future faces of the NHL.
How high can this phenom soar as he enters his second season next year? The Sarnia Sting will miss the playoffs this season but are hoping to bring in some important pieces to compete for next season. Sarnia wants to see Yakupov star in more than just 68 games. Yakupov has given Sarnia more than they asked for this past season. Now is the time that Sarnia gives back to Yakupov as his time in Sarnia is limited.
Projected Stats:
Nail Yakupov is on pace to score 51 goals, 53 assists and 104 points.
Yakupov is in some elite company.
- To put that into perspective, Jeff Skinner finished with 51 regular season goal in his second full OHL season
- Taylor Hall finished with 106 points in his third and final OHL season
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
Last edited by Dean Youngblood; February 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM.
Fantastic read, Dean...many thanks.
10 Team [keep 10 + 4 prospects]
Scoring F=1[g/a]; D=2[g], 1[a]; G=2[w], -1[L], 1[OT], 2[SO] Top 12 F, 6 D, 2 G count
Forwards
Crosby, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Wheeler, Byfuglien, Hornqvist, Simmonds, Ladd, Zuccarello, Ribeiro, Desharnais, Semin, MacArthur, Moulson, Purcell, Soderberg, Dupuis
Defense
Keith, Goligoski, Carlson, Krug, Trouba, Streit, Pouliot, Ceci, Nurse, Martinez
Goalie
Fleury/Price/Rask
This just depresses me. I wish someone had something negative to say about Yakupov.
I've been following him for 2 years and the hype around Yakupov is building fast. And unfortunately for me the hype appears justified. I've watched Yakupov play many times and have read more about him than any other prospect in the past. I almost drafted him in my keeper league last year, but passed on him then only to grab him this past summer (before he arrived in Sarnia). Since his arrival in Sarnia, he has done so much more than even I expected. But alas, I stupidly traded him for Adam Larsson, Filatov, and Kulikov. I made the trade last November and although at the time I was happy with the return on a kid no less than 2 years from the NHL, I certainly regret that trade now more than any others I have made in the past (and I have made a lot of stupid trades).
Every time I see Yakupov play or read more about him, I feel even more sick to my stomach.
All that said, this was a good read, DY, and I agree with pretty much everything you've written.
Cheers.
Too bad his name isn't actually pronounced like "Nail". I hate when you see article titles like "Hit the Nail on the head" or "Nail keeps hammering in goals".
Oh and Ottawa will tank for Yakupov next year
you mean Ottawa's going to Fail for Nail?Originally Posted by Big Ev
Oh and Ottawa will tank for Yakupov next year
Good writeup Dean. Too bad in the league I'm rebuilding in I always seem to finish second last instead of last. No yakupov for me!
You are still going to get a terrific player. 2012 is looking stacked with some great forwards not named Yakupov.
I haven't seen him play ever, but some Russians seem to think Grigorenko is even better than Yakupov. It sort of reminds me of the Ovechkin vs Malkin debates from 2004.
And then of course there is Yakupov's Sarnia team-mate, Galchenyuk, who also projects to be an incredible talent and, although he appears at the moment behind Yakupov in his development, could surpass him by draft day.
All that said, the defense crop in 2012 might be even better than the forwards (at least in terms of depth).
No matter what, the hype machine for 2012 is in full force and Yakupov is leading the way.
No, because that doesn't rhyme. It's pronounced Na-eel.you mean Ottawa's going to Fail for Nail?
yeah, I know...I did that in response to your initial postNo, because that doesn't rhyme. It's pronounced Na-eel.
Frk has been slipping in the rankings of late. I know 2012 is far away and a lot can change, but since he has come over to the CHL his poor skating has really been exposed. He is tough and has an NHL calibre shot already, but his skating is just horrible. He really looks so slow and has poor agility. He also floats a lot, appears lazy, and doesn't play any defense. He could improve on all of those things between now and 2012 but so far to me he looks like someone who despite being hyped as a top 5 draft pick a year ago might very well fall into the 2nd round by the actual draft.
yeah, I know...I did that in response to your initial post
Touche
Watch out for centre Sean Monahan in 2013 (I think, since he has an October 1994 birthday). He's had a pretty good rookie year for the 67's (11 goals, 33 points in 55 games), and he should develop weel playing with some really good players over the next couple of years.
BREAKING NEWS; Nail Yakupov just broke Steven Stamkos rookie goal record for the Sarnia Sting as he notched his 43rd goal of the season just 3 minutes into the game tonight
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