[Signing] Avalanche Signs Yakupov - 1 Year $875,000

[sempuki]

I was interested in him before, with the idea we might be able to fix him, but if Ken Hitchcock can't fix you, you're unfixable.

Gretzky and Sakic -- best player combination to make the worst Coach / GM combination? Git 'er dun Joe.

[Johnny Makarov]

I guess the Avs are trying really really hard to move back to Quebec City.

Why would anyone in Denver pay to watch this team?

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Don't disagree with a lot of that but don't have a problem with the Makar pick. In a weak draft he is arguably the most dynamic guy with the biggest upside. Although he played against lower competition, those that saw a lot of him seem to think the skills will translate at higher levels.

I like Makar too, just not for Colorados' situation.

After a 48 point season you have to improve your roster. Draft an NHL ready player which this year means you have to trade up to 1 or 2OA. Or trade the pick.

[saillias]

Glad someone took him, just so Brad couldn't.

He's Rico Fata 2.0

[Enoch Root]

Colorado is going to be a lottery team again this year (and probably several more), so for them, this is a reasonable gamble. If Yakupov can figure it out, then they have themselves another asset. If not, whatever - they are going to suck this year regardless.

Even though it's unlikely that Yakupov will figure it out, it isn't impossible. I don't see why anyone would criticize Colorado for this.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

I guess the Avs are trying really really hard to move back to Quebec City.

Why would anyone in Denver pay to watch this team?

Ahh, the Major League strategy.

They still need to find a d-man from the California Penal League...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

It's a good place for Yakupov to go. If things stay as they are, there's a reasonable chance he could be centered by Duchene or Mackinnon. He's more likely to put up points there than if he'd signed with Arizona or New Jersey or another rebuilding team and had to do more of the work himself.

[SOMBRI2]

My bold prediction for the Mile High city weather in Jan 2018: -32c.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Where does he rank among draft busts?

In the modern era? Almost certainly #1.

Guys like Daigle and Stefan at least forged out a decent career that lasted 7 or more years.

DePietro was held back by injuries.

Yakupov was a healthy scratch for half of his 5th season, and just signed a 1 year deal for near league minimum with a team that just had the worst season of any team in a long while.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

It's a good place for Yakupov to go. If things stay as they are, there's a reasonable chance he could be centered by Duchene or Mackinnon. He's more likely to put up points there than if he'd signed with Arizona or New Jersey or another rebuilding team and had to do more of the work himself.

This seems 100% logical. You would think that Yakupov would get more of an opportunity to develop his offensive game in Denver.

Then you look at how Duchene, MacKinnon and Landeskog did, and then you have to throw all logic out the window and start banging your head against the door.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Yeah, but I have to think that those guys at least start scoring again after an off year (no such guarantee for defense and goaltending). Especially Duchene and Mackinnon. There's just all the skill in the world there and they didn't forget where the net is.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

It's a good place for Yakupov to go. If things stay as they are, there's a reasonable chance he could be centered by Duchene or Mackinnon. He's more likely to put up points there than if he'd signed with Arizona or New Jersey or another rebuilding team and had to do more of the work himself.

Still won't help. He has rocks between his ears.

[Jacks]

Poor Yakky, never got his 6M x 6 years like the other cool kids.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

In the modern era? Almost certainly #1.

Guys like Daigle and Stefan at least forged out a decent career that lasted 7 or more years.

DePietro was held back by injuries.

Yakupov was a healthy scratch for half of his 5th season, and just signed a 1 year deal for near league minimum with a team that just had the worst season of any team in a long while.

Dipietro sucked before he got injured.

[FireGilbert]

What a fall. From 1st overall, to traded for a 3rd rounder, to having to sign for under a million on the leagues worst team.

Unless he can somehow stop the bleeding and put together another 3 years and 70 points he easily beats Stefan as the biggest 1st overall bust ever.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by codynw

Dipietro sucked before he got injured.

Relative to his silly contract perhaps but he had established himself as a legit number 1. Wouldn't say he sucked.

[devo22]

it depends on what your definition of a bust is and whether you consider major injuries a decisive factor.

To me, DiPietro is not a bust. He did reasonably well when he was healthy (was also an All-Star once), but his body just completely broke down. Groin, hips, knees ... you can not be a hockey goaltender when you accumulate numerous major and minor injuries in all of those areas. His career was ruined by injuries, not his abilities.

Yakupov is a completely different case ... no injuries, he's just not very good. In terms of 1st overall busts, I'd currently group him with Stefan and Daigle. If he can't get his career on track or at least show some flashes soon, he'll go down as the worst 1st overall pick in the last 30 years easily.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Where does he rank among draft busts?

One of the biggest IMO. He was supposed to at least be a proficient goal scorer in the NHL. Can't even do that a little bit. He scored 3 goals last year.

3

You know who had more goals than him?

Devon Setoguchi
Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland
Francois Beauchemin
Josh Jooris
Patrick Wiercioch
Joe Colborne
Evan Rodrigues (who?)

The guy shouldn't even be in the league anymore. If he wasn't a 1st overall pick, teams would have given up on him a couple years ago.

[OzSome]

This is probably smartest move by Sakic since he became in charge of Colorado. I am saying smart because Yakupov signed dirt-cheap. It is a gamble and if Yakupov produced then good for the Avs. If Yak fails, no big loss.
Kind of sucks that one day you were the talk of the draft becoming the first pick overall and potentially big bucks later on. Then his talent spiral down thanks to good(sarcastically) coaching by the Oilers. Now if Sakic can only sign Dallas Eakin as a head coach...

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by codynw

Dipietro sucked before he got injured.

He went down in his first training camp, and then was rushed into the league mid season.

His entire career was mishandled.