Nail Yakupov Profile

  • Skating
    8
  • Stickhandling
    8
  • Defensive play
    4
  • Scoring
    8
  • Hockey sense
    8
  • Size
    3

Grade: 8.5B

Talent Analysis

Yakupov is a big talent with great stickhandling and skating. A classic Russian player, Yakupov ia forward who can get the puck at one end of the ice and getting to the opposite end still with the puck on the blade. He can create havoc within the opposition defense as he can deke past blue liners with relative ease. He has a great hockey QI and it reflects in his decision making, he knows when to pass and when to shoot. Overall he is a great prospect and he should be a factor for the Sting in the 10-11 season, but he needs to work on his size, being only 5'11", 168 lbs, and defensive awareness. He can score highlight reel goals.

Future

Yakupov has just been drafted in the CHL by the Sarnia Sting of the OHL and he can become one of the top players of his team in spite of his young age. He's going to be picked up very high in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Yakupov Watch

  • September 24, 2010
    Yakupov scores first OHL goal against Windsor

Videos