That is the problem with the Oilers. They can't hold any of their young stars accountable because they just handed them ice time regardless of how good they were playing.
Yakupov is the first one they've tried to hold accountable to his play. But of course that makes Yakupov realize the double standard. And that is dangerous because if he thinks he is singled out unfairly time and time again he may get sick of the situation and screw EDM by returning to Russia or demanding a trade and tanking his trade value.
My Oilers friend believes they should've benched some of their young stars earlier in their careers and even this year so that there isn't the double standard. That would've been smart. Luckily we're not making the same mistake with Baertschi, just handing him top two line icetime regardless of how well he plays. The coaches and managers are making Baertschi earn his way up the organization and lineup with a complete game. The Oilers are only now asking their young stars to play a complete game and its put Eakins in a tough situation where he can't really bench his 6 million dollar stars.
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