Yakupov could be that type of player. While he does not address Toronto’s need for a big centre, the dynamic winger appears to possess Pavel Bure-type speed and is the consensus top prospect in a draft that is lacking in “sure things.”
“For us, his skill-set stands out,” NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. “He’s a very exciting player.”
That — perhaps more than anything else — is needed in Toronto right now. And unlike in 2009 when Burke was gunning for the right to draft John Tavares with the first-overall pick, the team might finally have the assets necessary to pull it off.
So what is it going to cost? Well, for starters, a defenceman. In the last five drafts, the Oilers have selected Taylor Hall (first overall), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (first), Magnus Paajarvi (10th), Jordan Eberle (22nd) and Sam Gagner (sixth). Where they could need help is on defence. But the top defenceman in this year’s draft, Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips, might not go higher than fourth or fifth overall.
This is where Toronto comes in. If the Leafs flip picks with the Oilers, Murray could still be available. If not, there are other top-end defenders — Mathew Dumba, Jacob Trouba, Griffin Reinhart and Morgan Rielly — that Edmonton could be happy selecting.
Of course, moving up four places takes more than a firm handshake and future considerations. The last time a team traded its No. 1 pick was in 2003, when the Florida Panthers sent the No. 1 and No. 73 picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the No. 3 and No. 55 picks and forward Mikael Samuelsson. Pittsburgh turned the picks it received into goalie Marc-André Fleury and Daniel Carcillo. Florida selected Nathan Horton and Stefan Meyer.
With the New York Islanders and other teams potentially also interested in acquiring Yakupov, you can expect that the Leafs would have to sweeten the pot. The Leafs, who had more defencemen than they knew what to do with this season, could offer Cody Franson or Luke Schenn, as well as a second-round pick, a minor-league prospect (Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Carter Ashton) or both.
I'm sorry but to move up 4 spots thats too much. These writers really need to stop trying to put their agenda out there with these non sense editorials on what they think the Leafs need to do. Terrible idea. Just stay where we are and take the BPA I'm not willing to give up our first with Ashton AND Franson AND by the way here's a second round pick...just to take Yakupov when we have a chance at Galchenyuk who actually fits a need..just laughable B.S
leafs probably don't have a high enough pick for Edmonton to drop down because I'm sure they were banking on having the 2nd overall pick to draft Murray.
First overall doesn't guarantee that we won't be in lottery pick again. Look at Edmonton itself. We don't need a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, we need a Couturier; which, only scouts can do.
Would be amazing, but can't see it. If anyone could pull it off it's Burke, that's his forte. He'd be absolutely unbelievable on a line with Kessel, and he's not a pansy either, he throws his weight around in the O.
edmonton trades their 1st to columbus (columbus gets yakupov)
columbus trades their 2nd to toronto (toronto gets grigorenko)
toronto trades their 5th to edmonton (edmonton gets murray or dumba)
take your pick out of this as to what evens it out:
gagner khabibulin bozak nash schenn franson mason kulemin reimer scrivens mcarthur kadri kessel wizniewski liles tyutin colborne ashton 2nd rounders.....
Would be amazing, but can't see it. If anyone could pull it off it's Burke, that's his forte. He'd be absolutely unbelievable on a line with Kessel, and he's not a pansy either, he throws his weight around in the O.
He'd look good with Kessel, but so does Lupol. IMO I'd put him with Grabo and role a top six of:
Yak-Grabo-Kuli
Lupol-Bozak-Kessel
That first line could turn into one of the better two way lines in the league, and we'd have two lines that would consistently be able to generate offense.
It has been stated by the GM itself that the rumour that they wouldn't draft a russian with their pick is untrue.
Well tbh what is he going to say? He's not about to lose his job for prejudice against a large hockey nation like Russia. But anyways, Yakupov is nearly as American as he is Russian, he grew up there and has played in North America for a long time. If I were them, I'd be more concerned about a Grigorenko not playing for them because of his supposed attitude issues (obviously don't know if that's true so admittedly could be wrong, just heard it a few times).
He'd look good with Kessel, but so does Lupol. IMO I'd put him with Grabo and role a top six of:
Yak-Grabo-Kuli
Lupol-Bozak-Kessel
That first line could turn into one of the better two way lines in the league, and we'd have two lines that would consistently be able to generate offense.
Yeah either way I'd be pretty damn satisfied with Yak
At 5 we're guaranteed one of the top guys so I'm fine either way, but I certainly wouldn't complain if we added a reasonable sweetener to the 5th pick to get Yakupov. Burke needs to do something big this offseason and making a move like that would be a good start.
