HockeyFanLand

You may be thinking it's extremely early to be talking about the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and you might be right. However, by all accounts the race for Russian superstar Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting has been underway for quite some time now. Many people in the hockey world say Nail Yakupok is the next Alexander Ovechkin. “Both players are highlight reel triple threats (goals, assists, hit).”

This comparison comes with good reason; from what I've seen and read as an Edmonton Oilers fan, it feels as though one more year at the basement of the NHL would be worth it. Yakupov broke Steven Stamkos’ franchise rookie record netting 49 goals this past season in the Ontario Hockey League. The majority of scouts think Yakupov would have beat out Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as this year's top selection had his birthday not been three weeks past the cut-off date.

Ryan Strome (New York Islanders, fifth pick): “I've seen him knock some of the biggest defensemen in OHL flying.”

Mark McNeill (Chicago, 18th pick): “He’s explosive in everything—skating, shots, hits.”

Thanks to the professionals at The Hockey News, I believe the Edmonton Oilers have a chance at the next Ovechkin. It has been made official that the Oilers are expected to finish 15th in the Western Conference. Do you believe the hype: Is Nail Yakupov the next Alexander Ovechkin? It will be great if he is.

Quotes from ESPN The Magazine