Colorado Avalanche: What to Expect from Nail Yakupov

The Colorado Avalanche took a calculated risk on former No. 1 overall pick, Nail Yakupov and it may work in their favor.

When Nail Yakupov had 17 goals in his rookie season, everyone thought he was on his way to becoming a 40 goal scorer. After that season, he regressed for a sophomore slump; however, most thought he would return to form.

He never did. So, the Edmonton Oilers traded him to the St. Louis Blues, where he received fourth line minutes, and dressed in only 40 games in what was supposed to be a reclamation project. Yeah, nice job St. Louis.

Anyway, it obviously didn’t work out for him there because Yakupov is not a fourth line player. He needs to be on the top two lines, or in a third line scoring role. So, Yakupov is getting what is likely his final opportunity in the NHL with the best club for that opportunity.

The Colorado Avalanche are starving for offense, and Yakupov has it in spades. He is extremely skilled and can put the puck in the net. The worry is that his defensive game is not very developed, which is true. However, if Jared Bednar makes smart use of his minutes, he can mitigate his defensive deficiencies.

Yakupov should receive every opportunity to reclaim his career in the NHL with the Avalanche, and it just might work in the favor of both sides.

Yakupov Likely to Get Top Six Minutes

The Avs gave Yakupov a contract that says go out and prove you still belong in this league, and we’ll extend you. And, you can’t deny that he is an upgrade on Mikhail Grigorenko.

However, in order for this project to work, Yakupov needs top six minutes. Luckily, he’s likely to get them with the Avs.

My bet is the first line stays intact with Sven Andrighetto, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. The second line — barring a Matt Duchene trade — could include Nail Yakupov on the right wing though, along with Duchy and Gabe Landeskog on the left.

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That gives Tyson Jost minutes without a ton of pressure, and also allows both Jost and J.T. Compher to play with a “veteran” in Colin Wilson on the third line.

This works in favor of all parties involved. Yakupov gets another chance to play with some seriously skilled players, Duchy gets to play with someone who has speed and can put the puck away and the Avs get to shelter their young players with minutes they can handle.

And, for the cost of $875,000, the Avs can afford to take this risk for one year. Both Blake Comeau and Joe Colborne come off the books next year, giving the Avs nearly five million in cap space too. So, if Yakupov explodes this season — and man would that be awesome — then the money is there to pay the guy.

Conclusion

This was a smart move by Joe Sakic, and you have to give credit where it’s due. Yakupov is still only 23 years old — 24 in October — and was a former No. 1 overall pick who has shown he can get it done at this level.

Now, he gets to come to CO where the only pressure he’ll have to perform will be from himself. I have faith that if he plays with players who can get him the puck in scoring areas, he’ll deliver. He still takes a ton of shots on net, but sports a dismal shooting percentage.

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If he can get that shooting percentage up, 20 goals is not out of the question.

Obviously I am optimistic about this signing and the ripple effect it will have on the roster makeup, but what do you think Avs fans? Smart move by Joe, or not worth the risk when we need to be developing some of our other young talent? This could mean A.J. Greer spends another year in the AHL, for example.