Confirmed with Link: Egor Yakovlev signed to a one-year, entry-level contract

[MadDevil]

At least the random KHL signings can actually play some hockey in some form lol

I'd definitely take this over bringing in guys like Boulton, Peters, etc. At the very least Yakoklev could help Binghamton, and lord knows they could use some help after this last season. Plus he's got a cool sounding name that Steve and Dano are going to completely butcher, which is entertainment in itself.

 

[Blender]

You guys didn't like Auvitu
I'm not so sure this guy is an upgrade.

I liked Auvitu, but not every signing like this works out. What isn't to like about free assets that may actually help the team?

 

[Darkauron]

I liked Ovi2 too. In theory he was a great signing, it just didnt work out too well.

 

[MadDevil]

I liked Auvitu, but not every signing like this works out. What isn't to like about free assets that may actually help the team?

You never know when you might hit on something with these types of signings. These guys are playing at the top levels in their countries so they clearly have some ability.

 

[Jets012]

OV2 is fine. Solid bottom pairing defender. Did well when he played in EDM too this year.

Hopefully this guy does well. Free asset. If there's one need we desperately have it's the left side of the defense. Hopefully he can play a smart transition game. Just has to beat Mueller out if Moore walks.

 

[New Jersey]

Lou had the random goon signing. Ray has the random KHL signing.

the difference is immense tho

 

[devilsblood]

"Yakovlev, 26, is yet another talented member of KHL powerhouse SKA. Teammates like Ilya Kovalchuk, Nikita Gusev, Sergei Plotnikov and Mikko Koskinen are among many on the roster who could sign in the NHL this summer, but Yakovlev seems to be closest to a concrete deal. Yakovlev lost games due to injury in 2017-18, but last season set career highs with 21 points and a +30 rating in 56 games. He made up for some missed time this year with a strong showing for Russia at the Olympics as well, skating on the team’s top pair. A high-energy two-way defenseman, Yakovlev certainly appears to have the talent to push for a regular role in the NHL"

The bolded does line up with what Shero and Hynes want. The high energy part goes for fwd's and d-men alike.

 

[OmNomNom]

We're due a random free agent success (from Europe/russia)

 

[devilsblood]

You guys didn't like Auvitu
I'm not so sure this guy is an upgrade.

I feel pretty confident that this guy defends better then frenchy. Doubt he is as skilled or aggressive offensively though.

 

[Darkauron]

I feel pretty confident that this guy defends better then frenchy. Doubt he is as skilled or aggressive offensively though.

I'll take someone that can actual play and defend at LD sooo much. It would be nice to be able to rely on someone defensively for once.

 

[Classic Devil]

I'll take someone that can actual play and defend at LD sooo much. It would be nice to be able to rely on someone defensively for once.

It would be nice for Yakolev to be that guy, or Mueller, but we're probably going to need to bring someone in.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I liked Ovi2 too. In theory he was a great signing, it just didnt work out too well.

Doesn't work out doesn't equal a great signing.

 

[Darkauron]

Doesn't work out doesn't equal a great signing.

If you actually read what I said.... in theory he was a great signing, but in practice he was not. From what hockey pundits said before he joined us he could have been a great signing and could have done a lot more based on his skills.

 

[BurntToast]

I know Russians can have a stigma, but looking at the style of play/games played in a KHL season, I can imagine the jump to the NHL being difficult. One could add in the political stress between our two countries as a factor, as well a the language berrier.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

I have translated an interview with Egor Yakovlev appearing on Russian media a couple of days ago:

New Jersey Devils Prospect Egor Yakovlev Is Ready

Have a good read

 

[MartyOwns]

I have translated an interview with Egor Yakovlev appearing on Russian media a couple of days ago:

New Jersey Devils Prospect Egor Yakovlev Is Ready

Have a good read

good article, thanks for sharing. i still don't see him making an impact in the NHL anytime soon, but who knows

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

good article, thanks for sharing. i still don't see him making an impact in the NHL anytime soon, but who knows

Thank you for reading my article

 

[Tretyak 20]

good article, thanks for sharing. i still don't see him making an impact in the NHL anytime soon, but who knows

It's so hard to tell these days. We've seen players come over from the KHL and never touch an NHL roster, and we've seen a player come over and become an instant top liner and win the Calder. Just have to wait and see.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think this was a good signing by you guys. I've watched Yakovlev play many matches over the past few years. I thought a year ago he would've definitely made it in the NHL. This past season I didn't think he was all that good. If he can get back to his playing level from a year ago, I don't see why he couldn't be a bottom pairing defenseman or better. Worst case scenario, he's like a 7th D type of player. Good skater, passes the puck well, can put up some points, although he's not offensively dynamic. The question is his defense. I didn't think he defended well this past season.

Someone mentioned Dyblenko. I don't think thats a good comparison. Yakovlev was way more accomplished before coming to NA than Dyblenko was. There's a chance he ends up similar to Dyblenko in that he never really contributes in the NHL, but I don't think it would be because he's comparable to Dyblenko.

 

[My3Sons]

If he’s played internationally against legit NHLers the team should have a fairly good idea of what he is capable of.

 

[MartyOwns]

I think this was a good signing by you guys. I've watched Yakovlev play many matches over the past few years. I thought a year ago he would've definitely made it in the NHL. This past season I didn't think he was all that good. If he can get back to his playing level from a year ago, I don't see why he couldn't be a bottom pairing defenseman or better. Worst case scenario, he's like a 7th D type of player. Good skater, passes the puck well, can put up some points, although he's not offensively dynamic. The question is his defense. I didn't think he defended well this past season.

Someone mentioned Dyblenko. I don't think thats a good comparison. Yakovlev was way more accomplished before coming to NA than Dyblenko was. There's a chance he ends up similar to Dyblenko in that he never really contributes in the NHL, but I don't think it would be because he's comparable to Dyblenko.

thanks for the writeup! so if i'm reading that correctly, he's not offensively gifted, and he needs to work on his defensive game. that's probably not good, but there's no risk so whatever

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

thanks for the writeup! so if i'm reading that correctly, he's not offensively gifted, and he needs to work on his defensive game. that's probably not good, but there's no risk so whatever

I would say he's a puck-moving defenseman. He's best in the transition game. I think he has slightly above-average offensive capabilities, but nothing dynamic. He's not going to be like Butcher. Maybe second PP, if there aren't other options. Weaknesses are on the defensive side. If he plays like two years ago, his defense could be passable in a regular lineup spot. If he plays more like this past season, might be looking more at a 7th D. Definitely a low-risk signing, and maybe you get a competent NHL'er out of it.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

LD
Butcher
Greene
Mueller
Yakovlev

RD
Vatanen
Severson
Lovejoy
Santini

I would still like to try and sign Carlson and trade for a top LD but if that fails, i'm comfortable in heading to the regular season with those 8D.

 

[Blackjack]

LD
Butcher
Greene
Mueller
Yakovlev

RD
Vatanen
Severson
Lovejoy
Santini

I would still like to try and sign Carlson and trade for a top LD but if that fails, i'm comfortable in heading to the regular season with those 8D.

I'm comfortable starting the regular season with those 8, but not finishing the season with those 8.

 

[Tretyak 20]

I'm comfortable starting the regular season with those 8, but not finishing the season with those 8.

...unless we see some serious improvement/capabilities from one of Mueller, Santini or Yakovlev. If one of those guys can step into a 2nd pair role and earn it, that would be huge.