[MisterJoji]

Honestly, I'd take Yakupov on the Flames at a decent cost. I don't see his main problem that he's a selfish prima donna at all. I see a player who has become a scapegoat for a pitiful coach and a pitiful team. Hall is yelling at him, Eberle constantly ignores him when looking to make a pass, and Eakins benches him even though the main problem with the team is defense (nice swarm Eakins) and goaltending. This kids confidence is rock bottom, and his play is a result of that. I think if he got a clean slate with a new team, you'd see the Yakupov of last year. He's never going to be Toews when it comes to the defensive side of things, but neither are a lot of dynamic goal scorers. As long as he's not a complete and total defensive liability, he'd be a great asset on a young team. I'd take him in a bargain deal. Something like Backlund + late round pick for Yakupov.