"Welcome to NAIL Country" Part II

Last posting we finished off talking about Nail and his name, his time with his father back in the 'homeland' and how his life lessons may have served as a motivator for the success he has had. It appears to me that during his interview with Andrey Osadchenko, he was more then willing to allow the world a look into the man, more then just the name.

Character is a IMPORTANT factor in the Oilers choice when they select #1 overall at this draft. It has been stated on several episodes of 'Oil Change' and 'Oil Change OVERDRIVE' that Character is a MUST for a #1 overall pick.

As I mentioned before, I don't see Yakupov's outgoing personality as a 'negative'. In fact, the excitement he had in beating Canada has more to do with RESPECT of the Canadian team then disrespect. Why should he be so pumped beating Canada? Because it's FREAKING Canada man! Why was Canada so pumped about winning the 72 Summit series over the Soviet Union? Because it was the FREAKING Soviet's! It's a compliment, not a insult.

Nail is a player who plays on that edge, and yes, sometimes it may be risky. The greater the risk, the greater the reward IMO. Is Taylor Hall a risky bet? Yes, he is. But with great risk can also come great reward. Nail has that same edge. He comes across as authentic. What you see is what you get. Forget the fact he is Russian and look at the fact he is a 'fierce and skilled player'.

Back in 2009/2010, Nail was one of the very few 16 year olds who played in the MHL - Russia's major junior league, says Andrey Osadchenko. Despite not being on their top 2 lines he was still invited to play for the Russian U18 (quite the feat). Electing to further develop his career he headed to Sarnia of the OHL where he had been drafted and went on in his first season to break Steven "flipping" Stamkos rookie scoring record.

This guy has a compete level that is out of this world. Everything is a competition for him. Andrey Osadchenko in his interview tells another of Nail's story about his compete level. Nail tells Andrey "We tried to play soccer once - it was real difficult. It was so frustrating, I almost lost my mind. I expected a competitive game, but they couldn't do a thing on the pitch. (means playing field for non-soccer fans) They could neither kick the ball or pass it. Nothing. They were fooling around and laughing like a bunch of kids. It was terrible. I was really upset and thought 'Screw you guys. If you don't want to play fine. Go throw your stupid melon around the dressing room. I don't care.'" Some people could take that statement and make more out of it. Me? I just think he just wears his heart on his sleeve. He is, what he says he is and does what he believes is right. He has conviction and most of all, 'personality'.

Nail also has a appreciation for celebrating successes as well. In fact he tells Andrey Osadchenko that when he found out his Russian teammate from the 2012 WJ team, Nikita Gusev, did not take his SILVER Medal out of his hockey bag he was bothered. "I didn't like it one bit" said Yakupov. "..I put my silver medal on display right away..". Some people would disagree that finishing 2nd is worth celebrating but the difference between 1st and 2nd is very little. To me, it is worth celebrating, your 2nd best in the world. Enjoy your time but come back next year gunning to be #1!

Team Russian Coach Valeri Bragin has said "Yakupov will be a great player" , but still wants him to become a teammate that others will rally around. When asked about dealing with all the pressure's on him, Nail responded "In all honesty, I don't even notice it, sure I see my name popping up on various websites and all that. I don't get super excited about it, though. I don't think too much about what other people think about me. Sometimes people say, Yakupov is this and Yakupov is that, they talk about the pressure I'm supposed to be experiencing and sometimes they don't say anything. What's important is that I have a goal. I don't pay attention to small details."

QUOTE by Nail Yakupov; 
"Whatever You give to hockey, it gives back to you"

TO BE CONTINUED...

"Welcome to NAIL Country" Part I

Like many of you out there, I am first and foremost a fan of hockey. The last thing some people may want to read about is more on the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and Nail Yakupov. Or did I get that wrong? Judging by the hits we here at Oilersjambalaya and other sites on the blogosphere get on articles on Nail and the draft, I would say there is interest still.


Rather then try to defend the reasons I have for the Oilers taking Nail at #1 overall, (HENCE THE TITLE)  I thought 'why not get a closer look into his life and experiences?' For a few blogs, I will focus more on some stories of what is becoming a very interesting player in "Nail Yakupov".

Nail Yakupov

Born: October 6th,1993

Position: RW 

Height: 5'11

Weight: 190 pounds

Nail, a outspoken Russian with elite Skill and speed to burn, plays with a fire that is rare to find in a average player. Yakupov has been in the hockey limelight now for 2 years and doesn't even blink at the thought of pressure.


While several fans, scouts and even some media members bring in the 'Russian factor' as a argument to draft him at #1, Nail has no worries. Both he and his agent Larionov bring quick attention to his coming to North America early in his development and his desire to be the best, in the best league in the world.


Yakupov makes light of those who refer to his name as a sign of significance. Nail told reporters "I don't have a great story about my name, it's not like I had a great grandfather who was a hero and I was named after him. My parent's just liked the name and that's it". It's a common name in the region of Russia where he hails from but does mean 'the one who achieves success'.


Nail comes from a smaller city called Nizhnekamsk. He tell's how it is not much different then Sarnia, where he has played the last 2 years for the Sting. "Sarnia is more of a stretched town and has lots of houses" Say's Yakupov. "Nizhnekamsk is bigger, about 250,000 people live there, but more compact and has apartment buildings. I like small towns. I'm not really the going out type."


Nail's big passion is movies , particularly thrillers. He cites favourites as Law Abiding Citizen, Vantage Point, and Phone Booth to name a few. he says some people think he's a moron because he loves Phone Booth but Say's he can't help it. You have got to love the fact, he is not one to just go with the crowd but actually has opinions of his own. Some are concerned he may be too outgoing  and arrogant , to be a long term solution for the Edmonton Oilers and maybe not a team player and a teachable one at that. 


Nail's father Rail Yakupov (yes, you read that right), was Nail's junior coach. He was also director of a junior hockey school back home. It meant only one thing for Nail; He would have to work twice as hard as his peers. He learned his worth ethic and persistence early in life. "He was very demanding" Yakupov Say's. "I don't know where I would be without him. He liked to remind me 'If you want to play, keep your mouth shut, listen and do as your told'." A sign that tell's us, a lot about the way he grew up.


Connections in Sarnia to Oiler Players, tell of how great of a guy he is. Speaks a lot to his character. Some fans are concerned about his outspoken personality as a bad sign. I would say his work ethic, character and ability to handle enormous pressure would be more of a concern then him being 'excited' about beating Team Canada at the recent WJHC 2012.

TO BE CONTINUED......

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

The "Great Draft Debate"

 The Oilers 'winning' the Lottery has made for a lot of conversation for Oilers fans everywhere. In fact, not only for Oiler fans but also for fans of any of the top 10 draft selections. 


This year most fans believed it was a easy decision. Pick 1 of 3 players at 2nd or 3rd overall. One of Murray, Grigorenko and/or Galchenyuk and we move on with yet another season. Something went terribly wrong though...the Oilers won a lottery that had not yet been won by a team who finished 29th overall.


Now this is where the problem lies with most GM's, and MSM, bloggers and fans alike. What should the Edmonton Oilers do with that pick at #1 overall? It can be a problem as much as it's a blessing. So now, when the Oilers step up to the podium in Pittsburgh in June at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, they are pressured from a few different angles.

Like Taylor Hall before him, Nail is not the positionally player the Oilers have the greatest need to draft, but he is the consensus #1 player, ready in most likelihood to play right away in the NHL. He has heart, intensity, hates to lose and wants to win more then anything. Sound familiar. Don't forget, while some still believe Tyler Sequin was the better option due to him playing center, Tyler has been playing RW in Boston. Had the Oilers played him at Center, there is no indication he could have handles the center position like he has RW.

1) The best skilled player who looks to have the best career ahead of his draft class at a top level is Nail Yakupov but he is a RW and is only 5'11. The Oilers have top 2 RW covered in Eberle and Hemsky, is there room for a 3rd RW?

2) The top defencemen right now to select is Ryan Murray. It's not known if he will be the best of the available d-men in the future but he is the most ready and the most likely to have a good career. Concern? Other then Drew Doughty who else as a top d-man has gone that high and been the best player drafted?

3) The Oilers need a 2nd center by most people's thought process so what about a bigger centermen in Grigorenko or Galchenyuk? This could work well, however with Grigorenko's play in the playoffs dropping (possibly due to mono we now hear) and Galchenyuk missing the entire season there is worries about the certainty around these 2 players as the #1 overall selection.

WHO SHOULD BE DRAFTED #1 OVERALL AT THE 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT?
Regardless if Edmonton picks at #1 or someone else trades up to that spot, you have to take the consensus #1 overall, or you could set your franchise back years. Anyone other then Yakupov at #1 would be opening up that team to high scrutiny unless their selection turns out better or at least equal to Yakupov within 5 years time. Those first 2 years the comparisons could potentially harm the team who chose other then Yakupov at #1.


HOW DO WE KNOW YAKUPOV IS ACTUALLY THAT GOOD?
Because if you look at history, you will see that when 80% or more of the Scouts worldwide have a player rated that high, for that long, it's pretty much a slam dunk they will at least turn into a star player in a top 6 forward role or top 4 defence pairing. 


DO WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER FORWARD WHEN WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED FOR DEFENCE?
Yes we do. As can be seen last year, we have 3 incredible young stars but 1 line does not make a great top 6. You need to really develop and build your own top 6 and you can always fill in your bottom 6 forwards with trades, UFA's and such.  While we need a top 2 defencemen, there is less of a chance Murray can fill that role let alone maybe if he was that good, we are at least 2-3 years away from seeing that. The best we could possibly get from Murray this next year is Gilbert's level of play this past season before being traded.

There was lots of talk about NYI actually should be taking Hedman over Tavares as they had a desperate need for defence. Truth is, they did have a need and still have a need on defence. Sound familiar? Now how many would take Hedman over Tavares? How many would take Larsson over RNH? I rest my case. No matter how you look at this, drafting defencemen truly is a art that needs to look at long term development and not high draft picks. I personally believe Yakupov has a lot of the same qualities that Tavares has and like so many before him, after being in the limelight for so long, everyone starts looking for faults to their game or their character. It happens every year.


The Edmonton Oilers will pick Nail Yakupov at #1, they have little choice but to do the safest thing and go with what we do know. You can not go wrong by having a stable full of studs. You could always trade one down the road if you need to. The cost for a team to get the Oilers to trade down, is steep and risky for both The Oilers and any other team. It won't happen folks unless a team like Montreal steps up or New York and that is 90% unlike;y.


Let's not forget, unlike past year's it is possible to put someone like Nail as our 3rd line RW for his development. It allows time to play with more defensive minded players yet to still earn his place on the top 6. Nail unlike our other top guns, does like to check and still could get valuable time on the PP 1st or 2nd line unit.


It's very possible you could have a combination  next year of;
?/RNH/Eberle
Hall/Gagner/Hemsky
?/Horcoff/Yakupov


Depending on what happens with Ryan Smyth you could slot in Paajarvi or Hartikainen in one of those other spots. If Yakupov starts the season well , can adjust to LW (his coach occasionally played him there) and is not a defensive liability, you could possibly have the season ending with;
Yakupov/RNH/Eberle
Hall/Gagner/Hemsky


There are several options left for the Oilers including Hall at center. Bottom line? The possibilities are plentiful and so is the potential to have a genuine 'scary' scoring team?


In my next blog , I will be covering more on the Oilers possible selections and why they will be targeting specific players with their second pick.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

REVS 2012 Prospects List (May 12/12)

REVS 2012 Prospects List (May 12/12)

"FINAL LIST"

1.Nail Yakupov (was ranked #1)

Nail finishes in my final list as still the reigning champ ranked #1. Nail has done nothing to change my opinion or almost anyone's opinion any different. Only argument that can be found against Yakupov is his point totals 'post injuries' slowed down his PPG pace and some negative talk about his shorter frame or the 'Russian Factor' has concerns among fans mostly.


 In no way is any player even close to Nail in this draft in regards to pure skill and intensity. He will be picked #1 overall and will be the cream of this years draft in 5 years time as well.

 

2.Mikhail Grigorenko (was ranked #2)

I know, I am becoming one of the few who still have Grigorenko ranked this high. Unlike some who fall for the 'lazy Russian' and 'poor work ethic' rumours, I truly believe Grigorenko is a player who fits perfectly into a number 2 centermen role. In a 1st line role there would be more pressures and chances are he would struggle with that, but the 2 spot is a great fit for the big Grigorenko. 


The way he protects the puck, the speed at which he passes the puck so crisply and his love for the game and incredible hockey sense are second to none. It is true , Patrick Roy has worked on Grigorenko's defensive 2-way game this past year and Mikhail has grown plenty. Like other top players, he is still growing. Unlike Yakupov, Mikhail has just been in North America a year but he wants to excel in the best league in the world as well. With me keeping him as my #2 ranked player either I get to be the one who said 'I told you so' OR I get to be the one who everyone else Say's 'I told you so'. Either way, he is my man at #2.

 3.Alex Galchenyuk (was ranked #4)

Alex put up insane numbers before heading to the OHL and put up 80+ points as a 16 year old is not bad either as a good two way center. Alex's small showing in the playoffs in his limited ice time are what moved him up in my rankings. The question mark on Alex for me was erased seeing his leg hold up and still put up points on a bad team. 


It really is too bad Galchenyuk was hurt this year cause it could have been a killer year for him IMO. This guy comes back for the playoffs after missing a entire year and still while getting up to speed on ice gets a ppg in the playoffs. He may be a wildcard only because the uncertainty of his recovery. Some are concerned the time off may have stunted his growth. I don't see it, if anything because this guy is a high intensity and highly competitive player he will slot perfectly onto a team as a top 2nd line centermen in the NHL. Most likely he will still need 1 more year in the OHL to work out some things on his game, with missing a entire year off.

4.Ryan Murray (was ranked #3)

It's not that I thought Ryan fell a ranking as much as someone showed well, who should have been ranked higher (Galchenyuk). Chances are high that Murray will jump straight to the NHL this year and there is no doubt in my mind, he will be a top 4 defencemen one day. 


I see him as a perfect 3rd guy on defence who can fill in the second role when injury occurs but not sustaining that level of hockey over long periods. Ryan is what I would call, that perfect calm on defence. He doesn't wow you or anger you with his play. He makes the smart play and is dependable at all times in the game. A good defencemen that deserves the ranking he has. Remember very few defencemen get ranked this high and drafted this high, so it should be a honour his name is even sitting in the top 5

5.Morgan Rielly (was ranked #5)

Rielly was able to come back in the 3rd round of the WHL playoffs and show some flashes of those high end skills of his. Fortunately I was able to catch 2 games live of his in Edmonton and 1 on the screen. He had poise, Quick skating ability and excellent puck movement with incredible control. His leg looks to have healed well and is showing great promise to be drafted in 'Top 8' at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

6.Griffin Reinhart (was ranked #8)

Reinhart has done nothing more then just be himself. A big man who is stable and strong on defence are very valuable assets to have. As the playoffs in the WHL continue for his Oil Kings team, Griffin continues to up his physical game and is starting to become much more of a factor. 


Having been able to catch a half dozen games of him live and a dozen on Shaw has been a eye opener. There is not much flash there, but should there be? After all, this is his game. He's a defensive defencemen who has a hard shot from the point, can move decent for a big man and can punish the forwards if need be. Because Griffin has risen his compete level as the playoffs went deeper, I have moved Griffin up in the rankings cause I definitely see a higher end potential in him then in past conversations.

7.Mathew Dumba (was ranked #6)

Dumba is a machine out there on the ice. A riverboat gambler but if he makes the right decision, your team is putting up points on the score clock because of him. While at the WHL level he is a beast, not sure it translates well into the NHL level of hockey where everyone is bigger and stronger. 


His ranking was only changed due to Reinhart picking up steam, otherwise Dumba is still a very strong option for a team who wants a defencemen who is a game changer and has speed to burn. It's very possible a team like the Islanders consider Dumba for their defence.

8.Filip Forsberg (was ranked #9)

As with Dumba, Forsberg only drops due to Reinhart moving up the draft rankings, it is no slight of Filip or his play on the ice. As I have mentioned before, unlike some draft rankings, I find it very difficult to rank Filip higher due to his lack of offensive production while playing in a Swedish league ranked below the SEL.


 While he is a power forward and good defensively , I would have expected to see greater growth in his draft year. Paajarvi played in the SEL and scored more points and yet was not drafted til later himself. Filip also mostly plays the wing not center as some are quoting on various sites so that does make it more difficult for a higher draft ranking.

9. Olli Maatta (was ranked #12)

Maatta was a solid defensive player all year in London and always reliable during those crunch time moments to produce when needed. His skating is top notch and his lateral moment is incredible. His hockey sense is what I really like about this player. He is a quiet type of player but a difference maker on the ice. These playoffs are what have really shown me his true potential as the London Knights would not be where they are without Olli.


Producing over a point a game in the OHL playoffs for a defencemen is no small feat, but it's the subtle way he keeps racking up the points and shutting down the other team's best players that impress me. 

10.Radek Faksa (was ranked #15)

A player who works hard, plays a good two way game at center and has great hockey sense. Faksa was not even on my radar til later in the 1st round to start the year, but kept impressing as the season went on. Being a big player who seems to keep growing with each and every game will make Radek a easy pick for almost any team in the NHL.

11.Jacob Trouba (was ranked #14)

Another defencemen who seldom gets noticed as much by the casual fan as he doesn't play in the CHL. Rest assured Trouba while now ranked by me at #11, some scouts and GM's have him ranked in the Top 7. He is that good. Very mobile defencemen who likes to play it tough but most of all positionally plays the angles well.

12.Cody Ceci (was ranked #10)

While Ceci did nothing wrong to drop him in the rankings, it was the play of others that pushed him back. Ceci almost a consistent ppg player on defence for Ottawa of the OHL, has many attributes NHL team's desire. His only knock seems to be his lack of physical play for a big man. High end potential is probably a 4 d-man with most likely a bottom pairing guy but PP specialist.

13.Derrick Pouliot (was ranked #7)

This is a huge drop for Pouliot on my draft rankings. Most of it is more about other players rising their level of play as the season wrapped up and then into the playoff battles. Derrick is a great talent (I have got to see him play about 6 times this year) but with a slighter frame and being surrounded by so many other good defencemen and forwards, I fear his stats may be somewhat misleading. He seems to make the right choices with the puck but seems to shy away from contact and does not always make the easy play, which can end up costly when it's all said and done.

14.Zemgus Girgensons (was ranked #13)

Zemgus only moved back one draft spot ranking due to so many others performing well as the playoffs progressed. He still could be a awesome catch for a team like Calgary who needs that Centermen. A great dynamic player who can make quick acceleration east/west and before you know it, is driving straight to the net.

15.Brendan Gaunce (was ranked #11)

Brendan is the only player other then Derrick who I did drop slightly in my draft rankings. I started the year without him in my Top 15, but as the season went on, I started to become a believer. As the season started closing out, it seemed to me his game intensity dropped and he looked fatigued. 


While I don't fault him for that, we are talking about the BEST 15 players in the world who are 17 years old approx. It's less of a knock against him then it is a compliment to the few others who have surpassed him on my list. A big strong centermen who many teams will seriously consider, I can see him being drafted between 12-25 overall in the 1st round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

For those of you who been following my prospects ranking from October/11, you will notice some changes again. Unfortunately as I mentioned before with so many injuries in the 2012 Prospect Draft class it has been much more difficult to read each players development in comparison to each other. Some players did make a return at season's end in the playoffs which was able to give some small indicators of their recover progress. (i.e.: Galchenyuk/Rielly) This list is not a mock ranking as to where they will be selected but my personal ranking in terms of talent that is available at that ranking and where I see them in 5 years time.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Oilers and the 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Each year the Oilers amateur scouting staff work hard putting together their best collection of top prospects for the Edmonton Oilers organization. With Stu leading the charge few Oiler fans are too worried about the picks they choose in the end. I am sure all fans will tell you the same, while they have their own thought process, in the end 'In Stu, we trust'.

With the release of the combine, some eligible players finished for the year and some still playing in the playoffs, I thought what better time then to touch base on some players who the Oilers may be seriously considering for their organization. Based on informed information, rumours among the MSM, personal observation and tidbits I am reading into from Lowe, Tamby and Stu, I have compiled a small list of those who I believe they would like to pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

I have listed the players as I see the Oilers preferring to pick from top to bottom. Of course past the first 3 rounds, it will be unlikely any are left. Next posting , I will examine more closely the players and why I believe it is possible, should they be available when the Oilers step up to the podium, they will select these specific players mentioned in my posting.

NOTE: There are some players the Oilers could take that I do not have mentioned should they fall in the draft. Example: Forsberg fall to 12th Overall? Maybe they would attempt a trade to move up. Essentially I am saying should any player #2-6 fall in the draft selection they would potentially try to make a move on them should they be available. #7 on I believe they would take in the order of availability. Bottom line with my list is that, when they go to select, should that player be gone next on their list, I believe they will move to the next one. 

I plan to repost this blog after draft time and see where and who the Oilers did end up taking in the end.

OILERS POTENTIAL LIST FOR THE 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT:

1) Nail Yakupov

2) Alex Galchenyuk

3) Ryan Murray

4) Morgan Rielly

5) Mikhail Grigorenko

6) Griffin Reinhart

7) Jacob Trouba

8) Radek Faksa

9) Olli Maatta

10) Brendan Gaunce

11) Zemgus Girgensons

12) Tom Wilson

13) Derrick Pouliot

14) Henrik Samuelsson

15) Slater Koekkoek

Of course there will be others past these 15 but it is possible that we could see the Oilers walk away from the first 2 rounds with any combination of (Yakupov/Wilson , Yakupov/Faksa , Yakupov/Samuelsson , Yakupov/Gaunce , Yakupov/Maatta , Yakupov/Girgensons). You could substitute either Galchenyuk or Murray into Yakupov's place if someone did step up to the plate and offer a incredible trade option. You will notice, I believe the Oilers 2nd selection will either be a Power forward who can score in the top 6 or a big Centermen to play behind RNH. Maatta and Pouliot are the only 2 defencemen I see as maybe available at 31 spot, even then it is doubtful.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev