If Yakupov was 2011 draft eligible...

[HalbertGil*]

Where would he be drafted?

Click to read more...

 

[Aaron Vickers]

Where would he be drafted?

Minnesota?

 

[magic school bus]

1st overall.

There hasnt been enough time to critique him. he benefits from that.

 

[FanHabtic*]

Where would he be drafted?

Top-4 easy if he was draft eligible. The only knock on him is his size.

 

[Bure]

top 3, so dynamic.

 

[Aaron Vickers]

Would have to agree with top-3 from my angle. Flip a coin between him and RNH and then battle Larsson if the team with the first overall pick covets a defenseman.

 

[Pick Six]

Minnesota?

Hilarious.

 

[jukon]

Depends. What are his stats in this imaginary world?

 

[SENSational Sens Fan]

Minnesota?

This.

In all seriousness, Top 4 imo.

 

[Jayevs]

1st next ovechkin as soon as he fills out more maybe less physical

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Minnesota?

Anyways, I think he'd go 8-13th overall

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

i'd rather have him then rnh

 

[Krnage]

Toronto...they will tank one more year for him

 

[Future]

Toronto...they will tank one more year for him

A man can dream... the next Ovie... in T.O.... wow.....

But we're making the playoffs next year.

 

[GretzkytoKurri9917]

2nd after Larsson.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

1-3... its skewed because scouts have not focused largely on him yet. I wouldnt be surprised if he was a number one pick though he is gonna be a great player with superstar skill

 

[ponder]

1st next ovechkin as soon as he fills out more maybe less physical

I hate this comparison, Ovechkin is 6'2" 235 lbs, and size is a major part of his game. Yakupov is 5'10" 170 lbs, he'll probably bulk up to 190 lbs or so in his prime, but Ovechkin wouldn't be Ovechkin if he was 5'10".

Yakupov is slippery but strong on his skates, quite a puck handler, goes hard to the net, in the couple times I've seen the Sting this year he looks more like Parise than Ovy. In terms of body language on the ice and general mentality, though, he unfortunately reminds me a touch of Radulov.

 

[Bjorn Le]

Why unfourtunatley? Radulov was extremely talented but Nashville screwed him over and he has his own problems.

 

[His Beardliness*]

Radulov is a great player. He didn't get paid what he deserved so he went back to Russia where he is dominating.

I hope he decides to come back some day, and then he'll probably be paid like a star.

 

[MajorPain]

I'd take Yakupov 1st overall. The kid's something really special and allthough he's russian, he's all ready in North America. There's always a risk that he could decide to go back to his home country...but I'd still take the chance on him guaranteed.

 

[Reddawg]

I think he'd pretty easily go #1 overall, unless the team that holds the pick was in desperate need of a defenseman.

 

[hdtrax]

First overall, without question. I honestly don't think any of the top 4 this year come close to this guy in terms of pedigree and sheer dynamism.

 

[gifted88]

Top 5, He's less NHL ready than RNH

 

[Canuck71*]

Not really a homer vote but I'd take him 1st overall. He's just that good.

 

[Kid Canesten]

Minnesota?

gold jerry, gold!