He will certainly need to adjust in some areas. Yakupov is targeted heavily in the OHL but that's not going to change at the next level when opponents are bigger, tougher and more skilled.

He makes these cuts to the middle almost every game and attacks aggressively one-on-one or even one-on-two, one-on-three by going right at his opponents. He's fearless when on the attack.

Yakupov will likely have to realize that he won't be able to run and gun as much as he does in the OHL and he'll need to use his hockey sense by slowing down his attack using his teammates more through passing to open up lanes for himself.

He's a smart player but at times (unless he's on the powerplay) he can be a little too aggressive and eager to score. Slowing down his game could help him earn extra time and space on the ice. Yakupov has the skating ability and hands to let his defenders/opponents come to him rather than him just blowing by (or through) them all of the time.

Either way, his playing style is going to lead to injuries regardless. Combine intensity + aggressive + ridiculous speed and you have a hockey players that will have injuries. Not to mention, Yakupov comes in at 5-11 and 190 lbs.

It shouldn't scare you off but its something that people need to realize.

__________________

From twitter,

Big blow to the Sting

“@SNPatrickKing: As per Sam Cosentino, Nail Yakupov will miss the rest of the regular season.”

__________________
ASKL - 10 Team dynasty,G/A=1,PIM=.1,+/- =.2 SOG=.05 (W=2,SO=3) Keep 12F 6D 2G 8BN + farm
F-Perry,Ryan,Giroux,Stastny,Ribeiro,Krejci,Plekanec, JvR,Bergeron,Fleischmann,Grabovski,Cammalleri
D-Letang,Chara,Edler,Boyle,Giordano,Gardiner,
G-Rinne,Crawford
Bench-Bernier,Reimer,Parenteau,Callahan,Downie,Kulemin, Meszaros,Nikitin
Farm- Namestnikov,Khoklachev,Rundblad,Despres,Jensen, L.Adam,Barberio,Galiev,Telegin,Hertl,Aberg

Just 3 more games, though.

Right .... Was thinking there were more games left than that, not a big deal then as long as he can go in the playoffs.

__________________
ASKL - 10 Team dynasty,G/A=1,PIM=.1,+/- =.2 SOG=.05 (W=2,SO=3) Keep 12F 6D 2G 8BN + farm
F-Perry,Ryan,Giroux,Stastny,Ribeiro,Krejci,Plekanec, JvR,Bergeron,Fleischmann,Grabovski,Cammalleri
D-Letang,Chara,Edler,Boyle,Giordano,Gardiner,
G-Rinne,Crawford
Bench-Bernier,Reimer,Parenteau,Callahan,Downie,Kulemin, Meszaros,Nikitin
Farm- Namestnikov,Khoklachev,Rundblad,Despres,Jensen, L.Adam,Barberio,Galiev,Telegin,Hertl,Aberg

from twitter:

Jim Parker ‏ @winstarparker
#OHL hands Owen Sound #Attack leading scorer Mike Halmo a 10-game suspension for his hit on top prospect Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia #Sting.

__________________
ASKL - 10 Team dynasty,G/A=1,PIM=.1,+/- =.2 SOG=.05 (W=2,SO=3) Keep 12F 6D 2G 8BN + farm
F-Perry,Ryan,Giroux,Stastny,Ribeiro,Krejci,Plekanec, JvR,Bergeron,Fleischmann,Grabovski,Cammalleri
D-Letang,Chara,Edler,Boyle,Giordano,Gardiner,
G-Rinne,Crawford
Bench-Bernier,Reimer,Parenteau,Callahan,Downie,Kulemin, Meszaros,Nikitin
Farm- Namestnikov,Khoklachev,Rundblad,Despres,Jensen, L.Adam,Barberio,Galiev,Telegin,Hertl,Aberg

Spoke to Halmo's brother today and he and Mike are not happy

I am sure Yakupov feels bad about that.