In the last days of another lost season for the Edmonton Oilers, Nail Yakupov caught fire. As an NHL rookie playing in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign, Yakupov went out on a high, netting six goals in his final three games. The Oilers, of course, were out of the playoff chase by that point, but the outburst brought Yakupov’s season total to 17 goals, which projects to an impressive 29-goal showing in a typical 82-game year.
Now let’s pull on our cynic’s cap and point out that, without that sudden spike in production during meaningless games, Yakupov’s goal total would’ve landed on 11 in 48 outings, which translates to less than a 20-goal year. Eleven goals is all the 20-year-old Russian could muster last season, when he was limited to 63 games, mostly because of an ankle injury but also because Oilers coach Dallas Eakins put him in the press box a couple times.
Sure, Yakupov hasn’t had a ton of support around him in Edmonton. But when the best stretch a first-overall pick has had through two seasons is a can’t-miss few days when his team has already missed the post-season, it’s fair to say he needs to find another gear.
Yakupov, naturally, isn’t the only NHLer—or even the only Oiler—looking for a statement season, and since we’ve already provided a list of Eastern Conference players with something to prove, here’s a quick look at five guys from the West operating under similar circumstances.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers: At least Yakupov has someone to commiserate with. Nugent-Hopkins—drafted first overall in 2011, one year before Yakupov—seemed to be living up to the hype during his freshman season, when he notched 52 points in 62 games despite battling a shoulder injury. Since then, the 21-year-old has never reached the same level of production, partially due to the lingering effects of that injury. Nugent-Hopkins came advertised as a sublime talent with off-the-charts sense, an assessment everyone in Edmonton would love to see validated during his fourth NHL campaign.
Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy, Nashville Predators: Ribeiro comes with the baggage of being labeled a party boy; Roy comes with bags under his eyes from recent trying seasons. Nobody expects either to light up the Tennessee sky, but they’re sure going to get an honest crack at redemption. One of them will also get James Neal on his wing, which could translate to something good.
Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche: If you’ve got a peculiar affinity for seeing armpits, get a bunch of hockey people together and ask everyone who expects regression from the Colorado Avalanche to raise their hand. The Avs seem primed for a fall because of the team’s poor possession game, something that was overcome last year by Varlamov’s heroics. In his first full year as a starter, Varlamov was Colorado’s unquestioned MVP, finishing second in Vezina Trophy voting. Because he’d never had a season like that before, there are legit questions about whether he can do it again.
Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues: Depending on what you think of the Paul Stastny signing, the only lingering question about whether or not the Blues can win a championship surrounds their uncertain crease. Going all in on Ryan Miller didn’t work, so the Blues are reverting back to Elliott, who’s had less-than-stellar moments in recent playoffs. With youngster Jake Allen pushing for time, Elliott needs to show he can handle the starter’s load.
Zach Bogosian, Winnipeg Jets: The question here is twofold. First, can Bogosian stay healthy for an entire year? And, if so, how effective can he be? The rugged defenceman played 81 games as a 19-year-old sophomore with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10. In four years since, Bogosian has dressed for more than 80 per cent of his team’s games in a given season on just one occasion. Suiting up for every outing in 2014-15 would be a huge victory in itself.