[News] Oilers Scratch Yakupov... Again

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The guy hasn't proven anything in the NHL and wants to dictate his ice time? I would be on the phones trying to unload him. If you can get a top team to offer their late 1st round pick you take it.

I can't blame him, or anyone else wanting out of Edmonton at this stage.

You can't fix something on the ice if management doesn't put the proper tools in place. That roster is a bloody mess and the management is very clearly incapable/unwilling to fix it. It's not like Yakupov is showing up late to practice and has every unhealthy practice known to a prospect.

Prospects are ALL projects. How can you expect to develop raw talent without ANY sort of organizational structure. Look at that team player - there's a reason they're awful and it's not because the players are tuning out a brand new coach only 17 or so games into a season.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Red John

Let's all remember that Kevin Lowe forced the Yakupov pick even though scouts were ready to take Ryan Murray/Galchenyuk/trade down.

The gift to Flames fans that keeps on giving.

The father of one of my best friends works in Jr hockey in an executive capacity. According to him, the Oilers took a final vote among their scouts/hockey operations guys on the morning of that draft re: taking Murray or Yakupov and the Edmonton scouts/hockey op's guys voted overwhelmingly in favour of Murray. The decision was finalized to the point where my friends dad actually received a text from one of the Oilers scouts saying Murray was going first overall. As the draft neared, Katz/Lowe intervened and forced the selection of Yakupov.

From that day, I have laughed at the notion that Edmonton was a team on the rise. It is clear that the structure in their organization is completely broken. It won't be cleaned up until Lowe is gone, Katz stops meddling, and a bright hockey mind is brought in to right the ship.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

It won't be cleaned up until Lowe is gone, Katz stops meddling, and a bright hockey mind is brought in to right the ship.

I hope this never happens.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Red John

Let's all remember that Kevin Lowe forced the Yakupov pick even though scouts were ready to take Ryan Murray/Galchenyuk/trade down.

The gift to Flames fans that keeps on giving.

This is one thing, but didn't Larionov state before the draft that the Oilers hadn't even interviewed Yakupov?

It's one thing to go against your scouts, it's another to do absolutely zero due diligence.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

But...but...but He's as good as Stamkos!

Yeah maybe now that Stamkos has a broken leg.....

[calumniate]

They asked him what he thought about his defensive game. 'I think I'm playing good!'

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

This is one thing, but didn't Larionov state before the draft that the Oilers hadn't even interviewed Yakupov?

It's one thing to go against your scouts, it's another to do absolutely zero due diligence.

Whoa, hey! He was on the cover of The Hockey News, what more do you expect?

[jschick88]

@SWhyno Craig MacTavish said Yakupov talk was distracting to #Oilers, accused @CraigCustance of manufacturing story,

[MissTeeks]

This is going to probably get better:

Stephen Whyno‏@SWhyno4m

Craig MacTavish said Yakupov talk was distracting to #Oilers, accused @CraigCustance of manufacturing story,

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

I know everyone loves Oiler misery, but don't get carried away. Yakupov is still worth more than a late 1st.

I don't think so in fact I'm not sure if the Oilers could get that much back. I expect they would get a top prospect form an organization or an established good player on a fair size contract. What do you think he's worth and explain the thinking of the team trading for him?

How many teams will be rushing offers for an unproven Russian kid that gets his agent involved when he's not getting the ice time he deserves after playing less than 80 games in the NHL? I'm willing to bet there's not a head coach in the league that wants that type of headache. The job is already difficult enough without having to worry about agents calling if you bench a player for playing poorly.

[calumniate]

Hearing the Yakupov interview right now is incredible. Sounds like trust is totally broken, and he's basically saying they'll see what happens in the next couple of days.. kind of an ultimatum for ice time. Pretty bad optics

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

This is going to probably get better:

Stephen Whyno‏@SWhyno4m

Craig MacTavish said Yakupov talk was distracting to #Oilers, accused @CraigCustance of manufacturing story,

He has actual quotes from Larionov and now Yakupov has spoken up about it. I highly doubt that Custance falsified quotes. MacTavish doing a terrible job here of trying to deflect this.

[albertGQ]

How has Ryan Murray looked so far this season? I would assume he has regressed due to his injury last year.

Has he looked like the type of player the Oilers should have selected over Yak?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

How has Ryan Murray looked so far this season? I would assume he has regressed due to his injury last year.

Has he looked like the type of player the Oilers should have selected over Yak?

Blue Jacket fans rave about Murray. He isn't a flashy player so he won't show up in highlight reels or create any media buzz around him.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Hearing the Yakupov interview right now is incredible. Sounds like trust is totally broken, and he's basically saying they'll see what happens in the next couple of days.. kind of an ultimatum for ice time. Pretty bad optics

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Hearing the Yakupov interview right now is incredible. Sounds like trust is totally broken, and he's basically saying they'll see what happens in the next couple of days.. kind of an ultimatum for ice time. Pretty bad optics

For those that can't hear, details

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

This is going to probably get better:

Stephen Whyno‏@SWhyno4m

Craig MacTavish said Yakupov talk was distracting to #Oilers, accused @CraigCustance of manufacturing story,

This is going to sound cruel. But between signing Bryz to a weird contract. Trading Smid for low value prospects and now the above.

Is Craig drinking again?

[MissTeeks]

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=691165

It has been reported publicly that Nail Yakupov's agent Igor Larionov is 'unhappy' with the way that his client is being utilized and has planned a trip to Edmonton to meet with the Oilers in regards to his ice-time.
Yakupov addressed the media today after practice regarding the reports and confirmed that he is unhappy with the amount of play time that he has seen over the past few games and that his agent will be visiting Edmonton.
"I know that (Larionov is) coming and we've got to do something because I don't see any trust in me now," said Yakupov. "I'm playing lower and lower minutes and I just want to help my team win every game and try to do something. I'm trying to shoot, trying to skate, trying to hit but I haven't had that much chance to do that. It's been very hard to watch the game from the bench when my teammates are fighting for pucks or points because I know I can do the same thing."

"I just want to play. I don't want to play nine or five minutes. I think I can play more and I can help my teammates to do something to get some points. We need points. I'm 20 years-old and I think that's a pretty important year for me to learn how to play hockey.
"I just want to play, I want to help and I want to have fun. It's a simple thing. I want to play hockey."

The reports last night from ESPN The Magazine Senior NHL Writer Craig Custance also state that Larionov has said the two are willing to 'make a move' to any team.
Yakupov refuted those claims by saying he has not asked for a trade.
"I wasn't asking for a trade. I wasn't saying anything bad.
"I don't want to talk about anything bad, but I just want to say, I'd like to be here. I love to be in Edmonton. I love the city, I love to play with these players. I've known for a couple of years, a couple of guys. It's a great atmosphere with great people around, great staff, great equipment managers, doctors and everybody. I just want to be a part of the Oilers."

[trackercowe]

I love how people are writing Yakupov saying he'll never amount to be a player like Stamkos. Did they forget that Stamkos had a poor rookie year, and many people were wondering if he'd end up being a bust, or if Tampa should deal him?

In Stamkos' rookie season he had 46 points in 79 games and was a -13.
In Yakuov's rookie season he had 31 points in 41 games and was only -4.

Has Yakupov had a poor start? Yes, most definitely; but you could say the same thing about the entire Oilers roster (outside of Perron). Hall, Hopkins, and Eberle might be putting up better numbers, but they don't spend their nights on the fourth line playing with Ryan Smyth and Mark Arcobello. Would we like it if Monahan spent next season on the fourth line with Jackman and McGratton? This is just as much an Oilers problem as it has anything to do with Yakupov's attitude, or lack thereof. If he were on a different team I am sure he would show he's more than capable of putting up numbers that are expected from a first overall pick.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Doesn't sound like much is being manufactured here. Straight from Yakupov's mouth that he feels he is being treated unfairly, and his agent saying a trade would be an option.