Player Agent Larionov Says Oilers Should Take Yakupov

from Mike Morreale of NHL.com, Igor Larionov believes the Edmonton Oilers could regret it if they don’t select right wing Nail Yakupov with the first pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, June 22 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

Larionov, the Hockey Hall of Fame player turned agent for Yakupov and Sarnia teammate Alex Galchenyuk recently sat down with NHL.com to discuss his two prized prospects. Yakupov is NHL Central Scouting’s top-rated North American skater, while Galchenyuk is No. 4.

“To me, I would go for Nail to get that whole lineup of great players for the next 10-plus years with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov,” Larionov told NHL.com. “I know it’s a tough decision, but if I were GM, I would take Nail and enjoy this young group grow and develop for many years.

“It would be like [Mark] Messier, Jari Kurri and [Wayne] Gretzky all over again. Another generation of great players … it would be fantastic to see the new Oilers of a new era with that talent and speed.”

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/player_agent_larionov_says_oilers_should_take_yakupov/

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