You can't give him an inch. Buries a fade-away slapper deep m the slot like its nobodies business. Man is he dangerous. As a passer and playmaker. That thread to Kochlachev was flawless.
He wouldn't have made Canada's WJC roster ^ either of the last 2 years.
edit: to 40oz re Musil
Well that didn't take long. Yaks is on the board.
Absolutely, that's why I said " I think most would rather see him play for the Czechs in the worlds than on this team and having a slim chance at the Canadian WJC roster."
He might have a slim chance this year, but that's pushing it as guys like Dumba might even be on the outside looking in at this point.
Yakupov has a hole in his defensive game, notice how he'll stop attacking an opponent with the puck when he gets close... He doesn't close all the way down in the guy and finish the check. He'll need to fix that as it will make NHL coaches mad. It's not just to hit, he needs to get stick on stick and interrupt the pass.
-You want to know what a "1st Round" Goaltender looks like, watch Vasilevski, wow
-Grigorenko is an NHL player, no question in my mind he'd make the Sabres
-The Russians are a good team, better then in past years
-Yakupov is terrific
-McKinnon was a little underwhelming, but he's pretty good skater.
Vasilevski hasn't missed a step in his development and even seems to have gained one. Either way he looks great as usual. Damn fine goaltending prospect for Yzerman and co.
-You want to know what a "1st Round" Goaltender looks like, watch Vasilevski, wow
-Grigorenko is an NHL player, no question in my mind he'd make the Sabres
-The Russians are a good team, better then in past years
-Yakupov is terrific
-McKinnon was a little underwhelming, but he's pretty good skater.
I wouldn't be so quick to conclude that Grigorenko would crack a deep squad like the Sabres. Depends which version of him shows up. He has looked like the prospect as he was touted as. I still have fresh memories of his disappearing act in the last Canada Russia series.
As for McKinnon he looks strong and fast. Not as comfortable as I think he should be. That missed drop pass was an obvious error or piece of miscommunication with his new line mates. Looks dangerous though.
I also thought Ouellet looked really good and the only bright spot on the Q's backend.
Vasilevski hasn't missed a step in his development and even seems to have gained one. Either way he looks great as usual. Damn fine goaltending prospect for Yzerman and co.
Would've loved if the Oilers grabbed him. Kid is going to be a great goalie. Would've been nice to have another Russian with Yak as well going forward.
Yakupov tends to leave the zone really early, might of helped him get breakways in OHL but going forward its harder to make that stretch pass in the NHL
Would've loved if the Oilers grabbed him. Kid is going to be a great goalie. Would've been nice to have another Russian with Yak as well going forward.
Yeah that would've been quite the treat. He has it all. Size, reflexes, positioning and of course most importantly the head of a fearless, focused competitor.
Yakupov tends to leave the zone really early, might of helped him get breakways in OHL but going forward its harder to make that stretch pass in the NHL
One thing Im noticing is Yakupov is passing the puck everytime at 100 mph..and his teamates cant handle them..
Except for that breakaway feed in the first..
Maybe this is cuz of the stepdown from KHL to junior?
