04-5 Online Prospect Magazine - Y - Z

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Y-Z

Mikhail Yakubov, Chi, C, (Rating: 3.0), Norfolk (AHL) - Gentle Russian giant rebounded from an abysmal `02-3 to make steady gains in his third pro season, and showed enough during an extended NHL debut in late November to earn an encore callup in March .. A gifted playmaker with huge, deceptively-fast strides, Yakubov thinks the game extremely well and has matured into a reliable defensive presence, though his tempo and overall intensity still prevents him from properly exploiting his great size and reach .. Offensive development has been disappointing, though he started to gain confidence during the second half in Norfolk (26-6-10-16, plus-7)

Nolan Yonkman, Wsh, D, (Rating: 2.5), Portland (AHL) - Major injuries continued to stall the development of mammoth second-rounder, who played just five games last season before tearing knee ligaments in October and undergoing major reconstructive surgery a month later .. A conscientious, stay-at-home defender with great size and reach, Yonkman can move the puck and possesses impressive straightaway speed for his size, but must continue to work on his agility and on becoming a nastier physical presence .. Long road back having played just 29 games over past two seasons.

Travis Zajac, NJ, C, (Rating: 3.5), North Dakota (WCHA) - Crafty Winnipeg native put the Shuswap Lake community on the NHL radar thanks to a breakout season that saw him finish second in league scoring and capture BCHL MVP honours .. A tall, hard-working pivot with elite hands and vision, Zajac boasts exceptional in-close puck-control skills and is a fast, fluid skater, though he must keep upgrading his strength and physical play, as he tends to operate on the periphery at times .. Should be an impact freshman this season at North Dakota, becoming the third Fighting Sioux player in the past five years drafted in the first round by New Jersey.

Miroslav Zalesak, SJ, RW, (Rating: 2.5), Skalica (Svk) - Slovak sharpshooter was leading the AHL in scoring (61-30-38-68) when he finally got the call from San Jose in March, but returned after just two NHL games, only to suffer a groin injury late in the regular season, which hampered him in the playoffs (9-1-4-5) .. A fluid, stealth-type goal-scorer with superb hand-eye coordination, Zalesak has added power and quickness to his stride, and is a crafty shooter who varies his velocity and always keeps his body in ready position, though he still suffers lapses in motivation, unwilling at times to battle intensely away from the puck .. Has made a statement after finishing third in the AHL in both goals and points.

Mike Zigomanis, Car, C, (Rating: 2.0), Lowell (AHL) - Former Kingston captain played a key role in Lowell's turnaround season, hitting stride from December onwards (38-15-21-36) to lead the Lock Monsters in scoring, despite spending the final month in the NHL, while also earning AHL all-star game MVP honours .. A highly-skilled, intelligent playmaker with a lethal wristshot, Zigomanis has upgraded his defensive urgency and consistency, but still lacks an explosive first step and, despite showing good awareness, has a tendency to hit auto-glide at times in his own zone .. Has paved the way for a slight NHL breakthrough.

Sergei Zinovjev, Bos, C, (Rating: 3.0), Ak Bars Kazan (Rus) - After snubbing a demotion to Providence and returning to Ak Bars, talented third-rounder was subsequently dropped from the national team just prior to the World Championships after testing positive for marijuana use, though rumours persist that coach Anatoly Bardin had fudged the test results once Zinovjev refused a transfer to Bardin’s Avangard club .. A deft shooter and tricky puckhandler, Zinovjev boasts superb vision, ingenuity and ever-improving toughness, but lacks elite size and straight-ahead speed, and must keep upgrading his strength and overall tempo .. Served a four-month suspension over the summer, and has expressed a desire to give North America another chance.