National Hockey League (NHL) Scouts all praise for top 2012 prospect Nail Yakupov –NHL Update
There might be nearly a year until the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft is to take place but scouts are all on the lookout for the best talent from around the world, which includes one special player who is expected to lead the squad of aspiring
players next year.
Nail Yakupov, a Russian junior ice hockey right winger who has played in the Russian leagues and also in American minor leagues, has caught the eye of scouts everywhere and is praised for his ability to quickly become recognised as a dominating force on
the ice.
He was one of the 36 top prospects for next year, performing in last week’s NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp which was organised in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada.
NHL Network analyst, Craig Button, had high regards for the 17-year-old and even compared him to few of the well known players currently in the league, during an interview with, The Team 1260, in Edmonton.
"When you watch him, I don't think there's one singular player that you would say, 'Wow, that's a guy he could be just like'", Button said. "But his ability to maneuver out of traffic and out of the corners from tight areas reminds you of Pavel Datsyuk.
When you watch him explode in his skating, he reminds you of Pavel Bure".
After spending time with Russian team, Reaktor Nizhnekamsk, the 5-foot-11 forward joined Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League and performed spectacularly last season by contributing 101 points (49 goals, 52 assists) in 65 games played, along with winning
the OHL’s Rookie of the Year award.
"He's a dominant player and went to the 2011 World Under-18s and was dominant there", Button added. "He would have arguably been a top-five pick in last year's draft, so he's got all those elements”.
With such a record, Yakupov has recently shattered Steven Stamkos’ record, who is one of the leagues’ best rookies in modern years. According to top scouts, it will not be surprising if Yakupov is drafted first overall and signed on immediately, to the extent
of even becoming another Stamkos like player.
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