Where, exactly, is Bogdan Yakimov as an NHL prospect? He jumped from the AHL to the KHL during the regular season—and then returned. Will he be back? Will he be invited back? Is Yakimov an NHL talent?
The AHL uses the word ‘delete’ for roster exits, and in this case that is an apt description of Yakimov heading to Neftekhimik. Yakimov’s season is kind of difficult to cobble together, but here are the boxcars from beginning to end:
  • Yakimov in Bakersfield, Oct 9 to Dec 20: 19gp, 3-4-7 .369 points per game
  • Yakimov in Neftekhimik: 15gp, 4-2-6 .400 points per game
  • Yakimov in Bakersfield: Mar 5 to Apr 16: 17gp, 2-6-8 .471 points per game
The big Russian is 6.05, 230 pounds and that is going to get him lots of chances. As we have discussed in the past, size can be a good thing—if there is enough skill. Does Yakimov have enough skill for an NHL job? Is he fast enough? Is he developing?
  • Steve Zipay, Newsday: In the 2014 World Junior Championships, he played with Bogdan Yakimov,
    property of the Edmonton Oilers, and Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita
    Zadorov, with the Colorado Avalanche. Source
It is hard to suss out the Yakimov story. He
has not been stellar in the AHL, and he bolted to the KHL mid-season
(and was injured). On the other hand, I can tell you at least one person
in the NHL community I have spoken to is/was genuinely surprised
Yakimov didn’t spend the season in the NHL.

WHAT DOES HE BRING?

I like to go back to a player’s draft day as a reminder of skill set:
  • Corey Pronman, Draft Day: He is a big center, measuring
    in at about 6’5″. He may not have the top-end tools of a typical top
    Russian prospect, but he is talented and he plays a good power game. His
    hands are above average, and while he can certainly make some moves and
    carry the puck into the opposing zone, he is not an overly creative
    forward. He also has pretty good hockey sense, as he makes quick
    decisions, sees the ice well, and positions himself effectively. As
    mentioned, he is a big body player, but he could use some more muscle to
    fill out and make the most of his frame. Still, he is effective when
    protecting the puck on the boards, and he will drive the net, making use
    of his physical assets. His main issue is his skating, as it is below
    average. His top speed and his first few steps are subpar, and while has
    shown some improvement, he must continue to progress in that area    . (Pronman had him No. 73 overall).
Bogdan Yakimov can do a lot with that big frame, and may be a better offensive player than his boxcars imply. Although time-on-ice is unavailable in the AHL, the big center played in the KHL this season (regular and some playoffs) and we can discover some things about him offensively.
  • Regular season: 11gp, 3-1-4, 11:57 per night. 1.82 points per 60.
  • Playoffs: 4gp, 1-1-2, 13:17 per night. 2.26 points per 60.
  • Anton Slepyshev (for comparison) 2014-15 58GP, 15-10-25, 12:26 per night 2.08 points per 60.
Yakimov should be able to help an NHL team even if he isn’t on a skill line. His TOI in the KHL (and likely in the AHL) suggests he has never been a feature player and his offense probably aligns with a support role.
If we see him in the fall, Yakimov is a player—along with names like Slepyshev and Jujhar Khaira—we should watch for in training camp. That big body should be useful in the NHL, when he arrives.
Photos by Mark Williams
Previously in the series: