Newcomer Nail Yakupov and many of his Avalanche teammates are kindred spirits when it comes resurrecting a young career.
Yakupov, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, hasn’t done anything spectacular since leading the Edmonton Oilers with 17 goals in the lockout-shortened 48-game season of 2012-13. And the Avs, well, they have a handful of high-profile 20-somethings coming off the worst year of their careers.
Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog — top-three overall draft picks themselves — are hoping to put the recent past behind them.
“Every year is important for everyone in this locker room,” Yakupov said.