Edmonton Oilers pick Nail Yakupov with first overall pick -NHL Entry Draft Update
Edmonton Oilers did the expected as they picked right winger, Nail Yakupov, of the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Sarnia Sting franchise, with their third straight first overall pick in the annual National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
Making history was another thing that Yakupov, this year’s top draft pick, did as he became the first Russian born player, since Alex Ovechkin back in 2004 by Washington Capitals, to be picked in a draft and is definitely excited to get playing in the league
right away.
"Edmonton is a great city and crazy town for hockey … it's a hockey town and I play hockey and I just want to play my best hockey," Yakupov said.
Good news for the Edmonton Oilers is that NHL Central Scouting’s Gary Eggleston has given an unprecedented review for Yakupov. Terming him to be one of a kind that being enormously talented, Edmonton just might have found a gem of a player.
"This player is worth the price of admission to watch him in warm-ups," Eggleston said. "I haven't seen a kid like this with hand speed in some time. He has quick reflexes and his decision-making and reactions are lightning-quick. He might have the quickest
stick I've seen in memory; he protects the puck well and is a franchise-type player in the waiting. He beats defenders with ease with the puck on a string."
The native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia, has played the past two seasons with the Sarnia Sting. In 2010-2011, Yakupov put up 101 points (49 goals, 52 assists) in 65 games played while 69 points (31 goals, 38 assists) in 42 games played in the next game.
Along with that, his native city of Nizhnekamsk is certainly counting on him to be the first player from that region that will be an NHL superstar. According to the central scouting of the North American major league, Yakupov has elite abilities when it
comes to controlling pucks along with being a high level shooter.
Edmonton Oilers have already expressed their desire of adding their first pick this year to their already working unstoppable duo, making it an ever so strong trio.
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