Nail Yakupov scored his team-leading third goal for the Avalanche on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins at the Pepsi Center. It’s far too early to suggest the Russian winger is turning around what was once considered a can’t-miss career, but he’s certainly happy in Colorado.
“It is fun. It starts from the locker room, with the boys, and I think I have really good chemistry with everyone,” said Yakupov, one of the Avs’ four Russians.
The Avs signed Yakupov — the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft — to a modest one-year contract in July. He is playing on the Matt Duchene-centered line with rookie Alex Kerfoot.