New Jersey Devils defenseman Yegor Yakovlev did not make the team out of training camp. Many worried if that was the case he could go back to his home country, but that’s not what happened.
The New Jersey Devils decided to cut down their defenders earlier this week, and Russian defenseman Yegor Yakovlev learned he was not making the NHL roster out of training camp.
There are many factors as to why, included the fact that once he plays one NHL game he is no longer waiver eligible, but the bottom line is he still has to learn more about the North American game. He just took too many penalties in the preseason. He took two minors in three games.
Yakovlev has a ton of talent, and could be the answer eventually on this defense, but what he brings would be counteracted by mistakes dealing with the rules.
The big worry was that if Yakovlev did not make the team, he would go back to the KHL. He played for SKA St. Petersburg, which is one of the premiere teams in the KHL. He would be welcomed back with open arms after spending three seasons there.
However, that’s not what he wants to do.
Yegor Yakovlev on being sent to farm team: 'It was a surprise for me. But I was told I have to adjust and it takes time, so I’m OK with that. I’m not going to go home, I want to prove I belong to the NHL' #NJDevils
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) September 26, 2018
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This is great news for the Devils. It sounds like the team wants to really test out the players who aren’t waiver eligible, and the fact that Yakovlev is willing to spend a portion of his time in the AHL to achieve his ultimate goal says something about him as a player.
He said he was surprised he was sent to the minors, but it seems like the conversations he had with management ended on a positive note. It sounds like Yakovlev knows what he has to do to make it to the NHL, and he’s willing to prove himself on a new continent rather than going back home to Russia.
Yakovlev could be very good for the Devils defense this season. He just needs to make a few adjustments, and he could find himself in the Devils top six in no time.