Montreal Canadiens: Ranking Past 10 First Overall NHL Draft Picks

10. Nail Yakupov

Okay, so we can say right away that there is no guarantee that the first overall pick turns into an elite player. The Oilers thought they had a terrific goal scoring winger when they grabbed Nail Yakupov first overall in 2012, but it really didn’t turn out that way.

The Russian did score 17 goals and 31 points in 48 games as a rookie in the lockout shortened 2013 season, but that would be the high point. He struggled in the following three seasons, scoring 24, 33 and 23 points each year before being traded to the St. Louis Blues for a conditional third round pick and a mediocre prospect.

The scariest thing about Yakupov is his numbers from his Junior days are somewhat similar to Shane Wright’s. Back in 2011-12, Yakupov scored 31 goals and 69 points in 42 games for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. That’s actually quite a bit higher than Wright’s 94 points in 63 games for the Kingston Frontenacs this season.

Of course, Yakupov was a one-dimensional winger who could score, but do little else. Wright is a complete player who brings it at both ends of the ice and is already a far better defensive player than Yakupov ever was in his career.

Yakupov had the skill, but not the hockey IQ that Wright possesses. That’s why comparing Yakupov to Wright would make no sense whatsoever.