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Grant Sonier breaks down the 2013 draft's top 50 prospects, topped by the trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Seth Jones. But the most intriguing prospect in the draft is Russian Valeri Nichushkin, who could be in the running for No. 1.

Story | Conversation | April 15, 2013

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier breaks down the play of the drafted and undrafted prospects on the OHL Select team in the Nov. 8 game against Team Russia in the Subway Super Series.

Blog | Conversation | November 13, 2012

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier evaluates the top Russian prospects on display in their recent Super Series win over the OHL Select team. Nail Yakupov continues to impress, while a trio of Russians look worthy of high selections in the 2013 draft.

Blog | Conversation | November 12, 2012

Craig Custance reports from the NHL draft combine in Toronto, where top prospects Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk needed to answer questions about their physical performance as well as their heritage.

Blog | Conversation | June 04, 2012

For years skilled teammates left Atlanta and Ilya Kovalchuk, finding success elsewhere while the Russian star lingered. Now, it's Kovalchuk finding success, and leading his new team in the process.

Blog | Conversation | May 28, 2012

Former NHL scout Grant Sonier breaks down the 2012 prospect group with his first mock draft of the season. Unsurprisingly Nail Yakupov goes No. 1 overall, but Sonier believes a number of teams could find useful parts to round out their rosters.

Story | Conversation | February 16, 2012

Grant Sonier breaks down the top 50 prospects for the 2012 NHL entry draft, topped by Nail Yakupov, who will likely be the third Russian ever to go No. 1 overall.

Story | Conversation | January 17, 2012

ESPN Insider Doug McIntyre has lessons for the 2012 NHL Draft. Lesson No. 1: Nail Yakupov's status as the top prospect is in danger.

Blog | Conversation | January 12, 2012

Grant Sonier reviews all the draft-eligible talent at the World Junior Championships in Alberta. At the top of his notes: an injury to Nail Yakupov and continued strong play from Filip Forsberg has the race for the No. 1 pick heating up.

Blog | Conversation | January 06, 2012

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that top defenseman Chris Pronger is out for the season. After chatting with Paul Holmgren about the topic, Craig Custance presents four possible options the Flyers could pursue to fill the void.

Blog | Conversation | December 16, 2011

With a contract that could go disastrously awry if his play deteriorates, Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov steps into the spotlight with his quirky behavior featured on HBO's "24/7," and his team relying on him more than ever absent its stars.

Blog | Conversation | December 15, 2011

Lightning GM Steve Yzerman took a risk by selecting three Russians in the 2011 draft despite the lack of a transfer agreement. So what would such an agreement do for the draft stock of Russian prospects? Alvin Chang examines the question.

Blog | Conversation | September 01, 2011

Alvin Chang examines the contracts signed by players over the course of their careers and notices that draft slot impacts salary well after the expiraction of their entry-level contract.

Blog | Conversation | August 03, 2011

Gare Joyce profiles potential 2012 top-10 draft pick Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting, who, despite Russian and Canadian roots, wants to play international hockey for the U.S. on his way to the NHL.

Blog | Conversation | July 26, 2011

Why is Nail Yakupov the clear favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NHL draft? Probably because he would have gone No. 1 this year -- had he been eligible. Now the high-flying Russian phenom will be the mark of every NHL team with a lottery pick.

Story | Conversation | July 18, 2011

Gare Joyce goes in depth on Nail Yakupov, the likely No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft who could help thaw recent phobias about selecting Russian prospects high in the draft.

Blog | Conversation | July 18, 2011