[News] Oilers Scratch Yakupov... Again

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Seems a growing story among Oilers fans is that there are players on the Oilers deliberately avoiding passing the puck to Yakupov.

Would mean that the dynamic in the locker room is toxic if true.

If this is true, then the Oilers should really look at a scorched earth approach with this team.There is no way they're going to teach a sense of professionalism with this core if this is how they are reacting to teammates at 20 and 21 years old.

Sure Yakupov is a distraction, but that sort of childish action isn't going to help the team mature or even gel together. That's the sort of stuff you hear about in minor league hockey, not at the pros.

[herashak]

Eberle looks off yak a lot.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

I was always a fan of Sundeep Malhi's body of work.

Do you celebrate his entire catalog?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

That's the sort of stuff you hear about in minor league hockey, not at the pros.

Sounds about right when you expect minor hockey players to carry your NHL team.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Poor poor Gene Principe, hehe

I don't even think gene could come up with a pun for how bad this team is

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Seems a growing story among Oilers fans is that there are players on the Oilers deliberately avoiding passing the puck to Yakupov.

Would mean that the dynamic in the locker room is toxic if true.

yikes. if this is true, things in EDM are even worse that assumed. I don't know much about yakupov or what made him 1st overall worthy.

When he's on is he supposed to be a high profile scorer like ovechkin? like i'm not even clear, based on watching him for 2 years now, on what actually makes him a potentially "special" player. Who were the NHL comparibles being used during his draft year?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Seems a growing story among Oilers fans is that there are players on the Oilers deliberately avoiding passing the puck to Yakupov.

Would mean that the dynamic in the locker room is toxic if true.

Ference's comment about how the locker room wasn't as divided as he had heard comes to mind.

[The Yen Man]

The Oilers really screwed the pooch with their core. They treated the young kids like rock stars where they can do no wrong, and that has bred an entitlement attitude. Why would they even listen to nagging veterans when management constantly pumps their tires and tells them how great they are?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Seems a growing story among Oilers fans is that there are players on the Oilers deliberately avoiding passing the puck to Yakupov.

Would mean that the dynamic in the locker room is toxic if true.

Good ... goooood

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Shin Pad

Drafting highly ranked Russians is a bit of gamble. You could get a Ovechkin or you could get Nailed

And even Ovechkin has never won anything other than personal awards, and routinely disappears in the playoffs when things get tough. Just stay away from Russians period, it just isn't worth the drama

[BlackWallStreet]

Yak is on pace for a minus 68 if he plays every game LOL he's got the worst plus/minus in the league

[_Q_]

I think Yakupov just needs a change of scenery. He's still a good player, but he's in a toxic environment. If the price wasn't too high, I'd be all for acquiring him.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think Yakupov just needs a change of scenery. He's still a good player, but he's in a toxic environment. If the price wasn't too high, I'd be all for acquiring him.

There is more then enough blame to spread around here. A lot of this is on the Oilers and plenty of it is on Yakupov too. I have no interest in the guy, none whatsoever.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by BlackWallStreet

Yak is on pace for a minus 68 if he plays every game LOL he's got the worst plus/minus in the league

On pace for minus 68. Asks for more ice time

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think Yakupov just needs a change of scenery. He's still a good player, but he's in a toxic environment. If the price wasn't too high, I'd be all for acquiring him.

I seem to recall an interview at the World Juniors where I came away thinking he was a punk and I was glad the oilers picked him up. I don't remember Anyone know what I'm talking about?

What if this is mostly on him? What did the oilers do wrong here except fail to do due diligence?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think Yakupov just needs a change of scenery. He's still a good player, but he's in a toxic environment. If the price wasn't too high, I'd be all for acquiring him.

Yakupov wouldn't be successful here. You have to work hard to do that.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think Yakupov just needs a change of scenery. He's still a good player, but he's in a toxic environment. If the price wasn't too high, I'd be all for acquiring him.

Jesus, if Baertschi and Backlund ride the pine for less obvious things Yakupov would never make it into the lineup.

[Flashpoint]

This is a really fun season.

We suck, and expected to suck, but are lovable at it.

The Canadian media hype of "They're really building something special up there", has finally stopped, and the team is being called a disaster that finally needs to do something shocking.

I just keep thinking of Lowe and McTavish sitting there like deer(s?) in the headlights when McTavish was hired, after being asked how the recycling of the old failed coach was going to improve the team, and they replied (incorrectly) about how they had the most cups so they know what they are doing.

So if they do something shocking like trade Yakupov, you just KNOW it'll be an absolute disaster for them.

It's just so fun to be a Calgary Flames fan right now.

[Ruttiger]

Anyone know what the record is for consecutive seasons out of the playoffs? I've got tickets to the Oilers - Flames game this Saturday with my dad and I sure as hell won't be wearing any Oilers gear.

Just an unmitigated disaster.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

And even Ovechkin has never won anything other than personal awards, and routinely disappears in the playoffs when things get tough. Just stay away from flashy Russian forwards period, it just isn't worth the drama

FYP, there have been some very reliable and drama free Russian defensemen and lesser hyped forwards. It seems to be mainly the prima donna's that are the problem. Of course the same can be said for some of the NA forwards who's heads are too big. The only reason to single out the Russians is that they have the option to bolt to the KHL if you they feel unappreciated.

If Yak really wanted to play in the NHL I think he could still be fixed. He needs a year in the AHL to learn to play a full game and then he needs some veteran mentoring when coming back to the NHL. I bet he could be a star in Detroit.