Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign Nail Yakupov as the New Tyler Ennis

The Toronto Maple Leafs have some salary cap concerns.

With Mitch Marner needing a new contract, the Toronto Maple Leafs are seemingly maxed out against the salary cap.

Now, I think that the issues are a bit overblown as the Leafs can probably solve most of their problems by getting rid of Patrick Marleau and Nikita Zaitsev.

But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be looking for value players.  Players like Tyler Ennis, who can come in on cheap deals and provide excellent value compared to what they are paid.

A player like Nail Yakupov.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Nail Yakupov

Yakupov was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers first overall in 2012.  In his rookie year, he scored an impressive 17 goals in 48 games.  He never came close to those numbers again.

Yakupov is an interesting case because he is incredibly talented and yet he has never lived up to his potential.

He’s only 25, and after a year away from the NHL, you have to think he might want another shot.

The Oilers blew it with Yakupov more than he let them down.  The had so many coaches, and so much turmoil, that they basically ruined the poor kid.

The Avs and Blues gave him a chance, but did they really?  His most common linemates in those years were a rookie Alex Kerfoot and a finished Patrick Berglund.

This is a player who, as a rookie, scored 2.14 p/60, which is first line scoring.  So we know he’s got the ability. (Stats naturalstattrick.com).

This is a player who is one of the most talented offensive players on earth.

A player who, at the very least, can be a weapon on the power play.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should be all over this guy.  Sign him for the same price as Tyler Ennis signed for last year – basically the $650 K league minimum – and promise to revive his career.

The Leafs could use him to replace Ennis, who they’ll probably lose because he’ll probably want a raise.  Yakupov gives you a potential first-line left winger, but he for sure gives you one of the best fourth liners in the NHL.

The Leafs play a progressive game and they want offense out of their fourth line.  Yakupov could start their and give them an edge over every team in the league.  If he succeeds, he can move up the lineup.  (While they’re at it, the Leafs should also sign this KHL player).

But the real reason you sign him is the power play.  Yakupov has an Ovechkin-esque one-timer.  He should go on the first unit and blast pucks at the net, while creative room for Matthews.

This would also allow the Leafs to do what they should already have done and balance their power play so that Tavares and Matthews are on different lines.

Yakupov would represent a zero risk move, with a potentially high reward.  The Toronto Maple Leafs should sign him as the new Tyler Ennis.