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New Jersey Devils Sign Russian Defenseman Yegor Yakovlev

By Nick Villano

Russia's Yegor Yakovlev eyes the puck in the men's gold medal ice hockey match between the Olympic Athletes from Russia and Germany during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung on February 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Russia's Yegor Yakovlev eyes the puck in the men's gold medal ice hockey match between the Olympic Athletes from Russia and Germany during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung on February 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The rumor mill is buzzing, with the New Jersey Devils signing Olympic Champion Yegor Yakovlev. There are few details available, but it seems like it’s soon to be a done deal.

The New Jersey Devils offseason hasn’t even started yet, but that’s not stopping general manager Ray Shero from making moves. Rumors are flying overseas that the Devils signed Olympic Gold Medalist Yegor/Egor Yakovlev.

Yakovlev played with Russian powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg. It’s the same team that employed the worst player in history, Pavel Datsyuk and Slava Voynov, who on second thought is actually the worst player ever. Either way, there’s no doubting this 26 year old played with some great competition.

Based on what I’ve seen, Yakovlev is not a point producing defenseman. That’s okay, because that’s not what the Devils need. They have Sami Vatanen, Will Butcher and Damon Severson who can provide offense from the blue line. The Devils need someone who’s going to shut the other team down.

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So let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Yakovlev is a Russian player. There will always be a stigma against players from that country. Ilya Kovalchuk left mid-contract to screw the Devils. Datsyuk “retired” while still under contract with the Detroit Red Wings with no warning. Vadim Shipachyov was the first player to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights, and he didn’t make it a full season until he was back in Russia. It’s a major worry that players may go back to their country and leave the NHL at any time.

Let’s try to have an open mind. Alexander Ovechkin has been rumored to go back to Russia for years, and he’s never even shared an inkling that was true. Some Russian players spend their entire careers in the NHL, so let’s hope the same thing can happen here.

The Devils need help on the blue line keeping good shots away from Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid. Hopefully, Steve Santini can live up to his potential and Mirco Mueller can build off the success of the end of the season. If not, Yakovlev is great insurance. He may not start with the Devils, but he could be a nice long-term option.

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