Fail for Nail: Getting to Know Nail Yakupov

As the Bruins are settling into last in the Eastern Conference, there is not much more Bruins fans can do other than slap their foreheads and laugh at play so bad it is almost humorous. 

Well, might as well start preparing for that 2012 NHL Draft right? Right! The Bruins had that second overall draft pick back in 2010 but are currently gunning for first overall. Finally, fans are lucky enough to feel that rush of excitement Edmonton Oilers fans got to feel the last two years in a row.

So with every Bruins loss that may be on the horizon, don't hang your head while you shuffle out onto Causeway Street; instead, raise your fist high and yell, "Fail for Nail!"

A right winger from Russia, Nail Yakupov is ranked as the top prospect for the fast approaching 2012 NHL Entry Draft set to take place in Pittsburgh in June. 

Yakupov was the top prospect among preseaosn lists compiled by TSN but is officially ranked number one by the International Scouting Services in their Top 30 October rankings list that was released earlier this month.

The 2010-11 CHL Rookie of the Year player chose to play in Canada rather than the KHL and has excelled for the Sarnia Sting, already leading the team in points again just 16 games in his sophomore season. Last season he amassed 101 points with 49 goals and 52 assists in only 65 games. So far this season he has 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points and was recently named OHL Player of the Week for the week ending on October 16th when he had 12 points in 4 games that week. 

This success comes as Yakupov chose the CHL over the KHL. The 5'11 forward knows he could have played KHL but it was all a matter of ice time. In coming to Canada he was able to get a lot more ice time and thrive. Something he can work on would be his size as his frame and 168 lbs make him small. His stick handling and offensive skills might not be enough for him in the NHL.

The last Russian the Bruins drafted was Alexander Khokhlachev and he's been doing pretty well to put it modestly.

So just think of the future and think of a Ryan Spooner, Nail Yakupov and Tyler Seguin line just killing it.

Fail for Nail.