[News] Oilers Scratch Yakupov... Again

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Putting the "Oilers are gross" part of it aside, would anyone here trade Baertschi for Yakupov if they could?

I might.

Brian Burke?

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Putting the "Oilers are gross" part of it aside, would anyone here trade Baertschi for Yakupov if they could?

I might.

The problem there is the Flames are asking/demanding the same thing from Baertschi as the Oilers are asking out of Yakupov. If he wants out of Edmonton for being a healthy scratch, having to earn his minutes and play defense, it would just be a rehash here in Calgary.

That said, and to the very unpopular opinion I'm sure it will be, yes.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Putting the "Oilers are gross" part of it aside, would anyone here trade Baertschi for Yakupov if they could?

I might.

Nope, but maybe a 3rd pick

[killer_carlson]

In a heartbeat. Id throw in a fair bit more to get him as well.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

Haha, this keeps getting better...

Purely hypothetical, but just for fun. A) would you take him and B) what would you give for him?

The only catch is that he has to play for the Flames (can't be sent to Abbotsford).

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Putting the "Oilers are gross" part of it aside, would anyone here trade Baertschi for Yakupov if they could?

I might.

Nyet, comrades. I wouldn't want Yakupov anywhere near the Flames, period - and I certainly wouldn't trade Sven for him. Yakopuv is a selfish, overrated primadonna who will likely bolt back to Russia as soon as he realizes that the NHL isn't going to hand him superstardom on a silver platter. Do Not Want.

[Redrum]

We finally got rid of Comeau, no way I want another player that kills the offense when the puck gets to him.

[Table 5]

I just couldn't do that to Sven.

That and Yakupov will be in the KHL in 3 years or less. No thanks.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Signs of the narrative developing over at HF:

Did you guys notice Hall's reaction after Yak's goal? So apathetic.

I know both Hall and Eberle ignored him more than once wide open side of net.

Watch the games again. Wide open or not, everyone who isn't Larsen has looked off Yakupov on a good pass. It's extremely frustrating.

[Muta]

What about something like Yakupov for Gudbranson and Matthias as the main pieces, with other things to balance any leftover indifferences out?

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

In a heartbeat. Id throw in a fair bit more to get him as well.

What's a "fair bit"?

[CliffFletcher]

The guy was close to the consensus #1 pick 18 months ago. And it's not as though his character has changed 180 degrees since then. Unless they're drunken basket-cases a la Bryan Fogarty, 20-year-olds don't see their stock drop that fast. He's still worth a high first round pick or equivalent prospect to someone.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Redrum

We finally got rid of Comeau, no way I want another player that kills the offense when the puck gets to him.

Just a tad bit of an "apples to oranges" comparison

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

What's a "fair bit"?

Agostino or Ramage

[Enoch Root]

As soon as he hinted the KHL card, his value was basically cut in half.

That, and the "I don't like defense, I'll play my game" comments leave him squarely in the 'do not let him anywhere near my team' camp.

[trackercowe]

I'd probably trade our first rounder this year for him, but I am sure many posters on here will disagree with me. This years draft isn't that stellar to begin with, and we'll likely be picking in the 3rd-6th spot. I think that sort of pick could be sacrificed for someone like Yakupov. Doubt he'd work that much better here than in Edmonton, but our expectations currently aren't as grandiose as theirs is.

[Table 5]

I think a guy like Yakupov only works on a team that already has a well-built foundation filled with strong players and leaders on their roster. He's one of those guys who are great accompanying pieces, but would fall apart if he was ever considered a team leader. He's Alexander Mogily part 2...great in one situation, terrible in another.

He might be a former #1 pick, but any team who goes looking for Yakupov to build around, is going to be pretty butt hurt in a couple of years.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I'd probably trade our first rounder this year for him, but I am sure many posters on here will disagree with me. This years draft isn't that stellar to begin with, and we'll likely be picking in the 3rd-6th spot. I think that sort of pick could be sacrificed for someone like Yakupov. Doubt he'd work that much better here than in Edmonton, but our expectations currently aren't as grandiose as theirs is.

That's going to be a pretty good draft pick,and I'd rather not have a Russian, no way I give the Oilers a mulligan. Let them twist in the wind with some pennies to the dollar trade instead..

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

The problem there is the Flames are asking/demanding the same thing from Baertschi as the Oilers are asking out of Yakupov. If he wants out of Edmonton for being a healthy scratch, having to earn his minutes and play defense, it would just be a rehash here in Calgary.

That said, and to the very unpopular opinion I'm sure it will be, yes.

I think to be fair, however, Eberle, RNH and Hall are playing terribly defensively as well. Though we can argue that some of the vets haven't been fantastic either, when comparing between the youth on this team, you can start to understand why certain players get benched now and then.

The Oilers are in full meltdown mode, and I am sure that Yak probably feels unfairly singled out. Baertschi probably felt that way as well, but when he sees Backlund getting sat and Colborne getting vastly reduced minutes and relegated to the 4th line, then at least he won't feel like he is being singled out. If Yak was on this team, who knows what would be happening. I bet he would probably perform a bit better, and if he didn't, he would also get benched. Maybe he wouldn't be as upset in Calgary if that was the case? Maybe he would. There would definitely be way more leadership in the room to help straighten him out a bit I would think.

And as for Baertschi - Yak trade - I would probably pull the trigger on that. I like Baertschi, but if Edmonton asked for that trade I would agree with it. There is more upside in Yak. It would hurt though.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I'd probably trade our first rounder this year for him, but I am sure many posters on here will disagree with me. This years draft isn't that stellar to begin with, and we'll likely be picking in the 3rd-6th spot. I think that sort of pick could be sacrificed for someone like Yakupov. Doubt he'd work that much better here than in Edmonton, but our expectations currently aren't as grandiose as theirs is.

I am not sure the Flames don't finish last, or don't win the lottery. They don't look like they will finish last, but injuries happen, and a lottery win is a lottery win. I would be horrified to see the Flames not take Reinhart - I really see him as Sean Monahan with a little less size (not much less), and a little less defensive game to him, but a bit more offensive ability.

Building around 2 6ft+ centers (Reinhart is listed at 6'1" on HKDB, and 5'11" on Elite) who both have non-stop motors, leadership abilities and great 2-way play seems like an intelligent way to go about rebuilding. Yak for sure would be a great addition, but is not someone you can build around I think. VERY strong complimentary piece, and he has proven it already last year in his ability to score in the NHL. His value accordingly is larger than the potential for Sam Reinhart, but I would be horrified if that ended up happening. Maybe I have become too big of a fanboy since the Flames drafted Max, and I have started watching the both of them since then.

If Jankowski (who I am very high on) was a very sure thing, I would trade that 1st for Yak in a blink of an eye though.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'd give them something similar to what we got for Erixon. A mid-round prospect (say Bill Arnold) and two 2nd rounders.

Playing for the rival of the team that he doesn't like could be inspiration for him to prove them wrong. Despite the problems so far, he still has plenty of upside, but yeah... there is some risk. Given the fact that we probably have at least a couple more rebuilding seasons, I think the risk is worth it.