Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
The counterargument is Yakupov. But there's the Edmonton factor there.
|
Yakupov was a different type of player though. Edmonton certainly rushed him and that probably contributed but selfish, one dimensional scoring wingers with no elite skills are a much bigger bust risk IMO than more well rounded players like Backlund, Lindholm and Bennett. Yakupov was always a puck hogging scorer who didn’t utilize his line mates well and wasn’t great defensively. He didn’t have elite speed, a Laine/Ovechkin type shot or above average size/strength. So if he couldn’t score there’s no role for him.
Exmonton’s scouts didn’t have Yakuov #1 that year, they had Ryan Murray. The Flames has Galchenyuk ahead of Yakupov.
I really don’t see any comparison between Yakupov and guys like Bennett, Backlund and Lindholm. Totally different types of players. Bennett in particular is a better skater than Yakupov, better defensively, better physicality, better vision and playmaking.