It appears that Yakupov doesn't have a concussion after all. He played tonight in Sarnia's 4-3 shootout loss to Barrie, recording 2 goals and 1 assist.
It appears that Yakupov doesn't have a concussion after all. He played tonight in Sarnia's 4-3 shootout loss to Barrie, recording 2 goals and 1 assist.
I won't lie, his size bothers me. But then again Verbeek was what, 5'10" on a warm day? He may not have exactly the same snarl as Pat did, but if you add to that the most talented hands this side of Crosby...
Woohoo, sign me up. We'd have to add some more muscle though. Our club is getting wimpier by the moment. I don't want this team to become Ottawa 1996 part deux, a team flowing with skill, but so nerdly-weak that a cub scout squad could frighten them off the ice.
Columbus is pretty hot right now, since Carter came back from his injury. I think it's safe to say we have the better shot at getting that #1 pick now.
I won't lie, his size bothers me. But then again Verbeek was what, 5'10" on a warm day? He may not have exactly the same snarl as Pat did, but if you add to that the most talented hands this side of Crosby...
Woohoo, sign me up. We'd have to add some more muscle though. Our club is getting wimpier by the moment. I don't want this team to become Ottawa 1996 part deux, a team flowing with skill, but so nerdly-weak that a cub scout squad could frighten them off the ice.
Size should not be a factor. Crosby is 5' 11" 200 lbs
Yak is 5' 11" 167 lbs. When he fills in, it will be a none issue.
JT is what 6' or 6' 1".
Concussions happen to anyone that keeps his head down.
Size should not be a factor. Crosby is 5' 11" 200 lbs
Yak is 5' 11" 167 lbs. When he fills in, it will be a none issue.
JT is what 6' or 6' 1".
Concussions happen to anyone that keeps his head down.
His 'concussion' was a cheap shot by a goon and I think it was away from the play. It wasn't a result of Yakupov having his head down.
His size is a bit of a concern, but that's the only thing about him. Seems like he's the type that you can never get a good hit on anyway so his size shouldn't be an issue. I just worry if his body can hold up if he continues to play like a little ball of hate. It's funny that my favorite thing about him is also a bit of a negative.
I'm not sure whether you guys would consider this good news or bad news, but after Columbus' win tonight against Buffalo, the Isles are officially in dead last in the NHL, and current owner of the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft.
I'm not sure whether you guys would consider this good news or bad news, but after Columbus' win tonight against Buffalo, the Isles are officially in dead last in the NHL, and current owner of the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft.
It doesn't matter if we finish last, with our luck we will lose the lottery and draft #2 overall.
lets remember at this team last year (or maybe later) we were talking about RNH...well, most of you were talking about Sean Courturier, Landeskog, and Larsson. III was talking about RNH. in any case, we ended up in 5th with Ryan Strome.
This is why i never understood why we bother with threads like this. We'll likely never have a chance to pick these players. I really dont think this is the worst team in hockey. I expect Montoya to take over the #1 spot now and for us to get on somewhat of a role. We're playing much better hockey. Playoffs are still a possibility for christ sake.
lets remember at this team last year (or maybe later) we were talking about RNH...well, most of you were talking about Sean Courturier, Landeskog, and Larsson. III was talking about RNH. in any case, we ended up in 5th with Ryan Strome.
This is why i never understood why we bother with threads like this. We'll likely never have a chance to pick these players. I really dont think this is the worst team in hockey. I expect Montoya to take over the #1 spot now and for us to get on somewhat of a role. We're playing much better hockey. Playoffs are still a possibility for christ sake.
We were in position to take coutourier and would have been in position to take larsson if the devils didn't win the lottery, so seems we were not so far off base
If we had a few seasons of drafting top 2 or 3..we would have a contender, but we end up drafting in the grey area where the player could be good or could be a flop. Usually the top 2 or 3 turn out decent or the ones after 10th position to 18th..
Yakupov's size doesn't worry me. He'll probably be a more talented Gilmour which is great..plus this guy is NOT a pushover.
If we had a few seasons of drafting top 2 or 3..we would have a contender, but we end up drafting in the grey area where the player could be good or could be a flop. Usually the top 2 or 3 turn out decent or the ones after 10th position to 18th..
Yakupov's size doesn't worry me. He'll probably be a more talented Gilmour which is great..plus this guy is NOT a pushover.
The guy has gifted hands...he's fast and he's feisty ..Lots of grit in his play too.
If we do get #1 overall, Yakupov has to be the pick. I personally love Grigorenko, but it's gotta be a no-brainer to select Nail. He's the most exciting player in the draft and you can write his name in the line-up with ink the moment he's drafted. Him and JT would be pretty sick together. Yakupov and Galchenyuk were a pretty crazy combo last year in Sarnia. Galchenyuk is a great prospect as well (too bad about his injury) and his scouting report is very similar to JT's style of play. If you extrapolate that, then Yakupov and Tavares should be an even better combo. He would energize the fanbase, especially after another horrible season. The kid is can't miss.
Now if we were to draft #2, then Grigrenko is my pick. He's always been a center, he's Russia's #1 guy in the middle when it comes to Jr. tourneys. He's playing RW in Quebec and playing elite hockey there. You have to love that versatility. Can slot up to JT's RW or center the 2nd line to form a strong duo at center.
We were in position to take coutourier and would have been in position to take larsson if the devils didn't win the lottery, so seems we were not so far off base
Yes but we were talking about him as if he'd be the first pick. the whole point was that things change, player ratings change, teams positions most certainly change...
My favorite thing about Yakupov so far is that PWJunior describes him as playing like a "little ball of hate"! I love it!
Haha, thank you.
I do love that most about him also, but it also concerns me because of his size. I wouldn't want him banging into Chara or Pronger all the time because you know this kid would run them every chance he got. I know people instantly compare him to Pavel Bure, but I see a lot more Alexander Mogilny in him than anyone else. Of course, Yakupov is a lot more physical.
I will say though, I'm more of a fan of Grigorenko. It's the whole Ovechkin/Malkin and Hall/Seguin with Yakupov and Grigorenko IMO. I just value centers more than wingers. Grigorenko looks like a big, skilled #1 center to me. Could be a franchise type of center. The fact that he's showing the ability to play wing at a really high level, that's huge. He is praised most for his hockey sense and how he can control a game. While Yakupov speeds it up, Grigorenko slows it down. If you put two guys with elite hockey sense together, then it would be sick. I can see that with JT and Grigo. JT and Yakupov would be a totally different dynamic.
The game against Pittsburgh when Crosby returned, their depth down the middle was impressive. I think Grigorenko could be our Malkin. He can either center the 2nd line and elevate the play of his linemates or he can play RW with JT to generate offense on the top line. Can take faceoffs and just generally dominate play. I think that's what we need more than anything else. An elite talent who can elevate the play of his teammates due to elite hockey sense and vision. We have one in JT, another one like Grigorenko would be huge for us.
if nail speeds things up he might be a good fit with grabs on the 2nd line. we would just need a center (strome?) who could work with that speed. Or do you guys see grabs as a 3rd line winger?
btw it seems yakubov is sitting for a week after his concussion. He has missed the last two games, even though he came back from the concussion originally.
A top line of Strome, Tavares, and Nail would be pretty ballin lol.
Not going to lie in a way I would absolutely love to have the first overall pick. In no way do I want the Islanders to tank but I would love to have Nail in this lineup.
A top line of Strome, Tavares, and Nail would be pretty ballin lol.
Not going to lie in a way I would absolutely love to have the first overall pick. In no way do I want the Islanders to tank but I would love to have Nail in this lineup.
Don't ever say "ballin" again please lol. And honestly the more i heard about Grigorenko the more i like him more than Yakupov..
Th way Yakupov plays makes him the definitive number one in my eyes..I am not a big fan of the Q. The only thing that comes out of there are some decent goalies.... I could be wrong, but I would prefer his linemate galchenyuk..
Anyway..about Nail...he is a versatile forward AND he plays RW for mot of the season...The isles are severely short of true RWingers..scoring Rwingers..
Don't ever say "ballin" again please lol. And honestly the more i heard about Grigorenko the more i like him more than Yakupov..
You're not the only one enamored with Grigorenko. I personally like him more than Yakupov, but if we do get #1 overall, it has to be Nail. He would generate the most buzz no matter how you slice it.
A top line of Strome, Tavares, and Nail would be pretty ballin lol.
Not going to lie in a way I would absolutely love to have the first overall pick. In no way do I want the Islanders to tank but I would love to have Nail in this lineup.
and who is centering our 2nd line? I figured strome would be doing that. Also, above a post is claiming nail and jt wouldnt work together well, wouldnt it be worth a shot to try nail on the 2nd line then?
