Yakupov I do find very interesting. There's no question he has a ton of skill, but there are question marks for sure. Honestly, I don't know what is holding him back from putting it all together. I thought he'd be a great story to shove at the Grease when he was traded but that certainly didn't happen.
However, the potential is having a very talented piece to add to the core. The problem is, it's 1st line or bust:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Yakupov
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Lazar - Bennett - Versteeg
Ferland - Jankowski - Hathaway
EX: Chaisson
Is how I could see this roster shape up. Of course, it won't work out this way without some massaging. Stajan, Bouma and Brouwer are on the books, but this would be the ideal roster with the pieces we have IMO. I hope they don't mess with the 3M line, and I don't think Yakupov is worth having around on the 3rd or 4th line. We're pretty stocked up down there.
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