Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Actually he was far from a consensus #1.
I know the Leafs had Morgan Rielly #1.
I know the Flames had Alex Galchenyuk #1.
Seems like Columbus could've had Murray #1.
Wouldn't surprise me if we learned a bunch of other teams didn't have Yakupov #1.
Some years there is a consensus #1. That year was not one of them.
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Any player who is ranked #1 by central scouting and international scouting seems like a consensus to me. TSN had him ranked as #1, as did the hockey writers and personally knowing a couple people inside NHL circles I'd venture to guess 20 NHL teams had him there too. He was no Crosby lock, but the top prospect in that draft at the time was Yakupov.
If there was ever an argument being made in Edmonton between drafting Yakupov and Ryan Murray it wasn't based on who was the best player, most agreed that was Yakupov. The arguement was for who filled the biggest need for the Oilers. Based on the general lack of success in drafting elite d-men with high picks, I can't blame the Oilers for not going the Murray route. However, they did not need a one-way right winger when they already have Eberle and (still) Hemsky. So, why didn't they trade the pick away?
Yakupov could still be a great player, but he'll never get the chance in Edmonton and his trade value today is far below what it would have been if the Oilers just made the trade on draft day. Having the kid in the pressbox doesn't help his value either. Haha...stupid Oilers.