[Trade] Yakupov to St. Louis for conditional 3rd + Zach Pochiro

[Ashasx]

well, there's no question now that he's the biggest bust in NHL history

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would think that if St. Louis qualifies him, but he hasn't been playing much for them, he will bolt for Russia.

However, if St. Louis doesn't qualify him and makes him a UFA (which may happen if they feel he is not a fit - that is a sizeable cap hit to have sit on a nightly basiis), he may try to find another NHL team (looking at Montreal with Galchenyuk) or even a team LIKE Calgary with weaker RW depth at a low dollar contract. He really hasn't been doing well though.

I wonder how much he can earn right now in Russia comparatively? Wonder if he would be considered a fairly big fish for a KHL club to get, or if the luster of being a #1 overall pick has worn off.

[OILFAN #81]

His attitude in my opinion was very poor and he is just lazy. He has skill but doesn't put the effort in during his on ice play. He expects things come easy without trying. In previous years, when the Oilers would go on long losing streaks, a guy like RNH would still be busting his behind where as a guy like Yakupov would be coasting back.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I would think that if St. Louis qualifies him, but he hasn't been playing much for them, he will bolt for Russia.

However, if St. Louis doesn't qualify him and makes him a UFA (which may happen if they feel he is not a fit - that is a sizeable cap hit to have sit on a nightly basiis), he may try to find another NHL team (looking at Montreal with Galchenyuk) or even a team LIKE Calgary with weaker RW depth at a low dollar contract. He really hasn't been doing well though.

I wonder how much he can earn right now in Russia comparatively? Wonder if he would be considered a fairly big fish for a KHL club to get, or if the luster of being a #1 overall pick has worn off.

I would not be one bit surprised that if he doesnt pan out in St. Louis he'd be snapped up by Washington. That team is like the NHL's pseudo-official Russian Embassy.

And it would probably work out well. Ovechkin went through the process of having to work and change his game and he came out the other side even better, thats what Yakupov needs.

[Igottago]

I was under the impression he had started the season okay? Wonder if he gets another chance somewhere. It seems like he may need a coach that is willing to take on a project to actually get something out of him.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

His attitude in my opinion was very poor and he is just lazy. He has skill but doesn't put the effort in during his on ice play. He expects things come easy without trying. In previous years, when the Oilers would go on long losing streaks, a guy like RNH would still be busting his behind where as a guy like Yakupov would be coasting back.

Really? I always got the impression he was trying but it's painfully obvious he lacks hockey IQ, at both ends of the ice. He can skate and shoot but he can't think the game the way you would expect a former 1 OA should. All the talent necessary but he thinks the game below the level of even Rene Bourque types.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

His attitude in my opinion was very poor and he is just lazy. He has skill but doesn't put the effort in during his on ice play. He expects things come easy without trying. In previous years, when the Oilers would go on long losing streaks, a guy like RNH would still be busting his behind where as a guy like Yakupov would be coasting back.

Obviously I don't want as many Oiler games as you, but I always saw Yakupov busting his butt a lot to get back on defence, while I would see Hall and Eberle (Eberle especially) coasting. I mean, Yakupov didn't seem to know what exactly to do, but he seemed to be working hard at least. I will defer to you though.

Edit: (sorry, missed your post):

Originally Posted by Locke

I would not be one bit surprised that if he doesnt pan out in St. Louis he'd be snapped up by Washington. That team is like the NHL's pseudo-official Russian Embassy.

And it would probably work out well. Ovechkin went through the process of having to work and change his game and he came out the other side even better, thats what Yakupov needs.

Or Tampa. I would imagine he would probably be looking at a 'show me' contract (at best) with low dollar and term, and with Tampa having cap issues and being the Kremlin of the NHL now, that might be a good landing spot as well.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Obviously I don't want as many Oiler games as you, but I always saw Yakupov busting his butt a lot to get back on defence, while I would see Hall and Eberle (Eberle especially) coasting. I mean, Yakupov didn't seem to know what exactly to do, but he seemed to be working hard at least. I will defer to you though.

Nobody wants as many Oiler games as him. Nobody.

[CroFlames]

Hitch is no nonsense. I wish he got fired so the Flames could have hired him.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

well, there's no question now that he's the biggest bust in NHL history

Alexandre Daigle and Patrick Stefan are way bigger busts. Daigle especially, considering how much he was hyped prior to the draft.

Brian Lawton's stats weren't that great, but he's way before my time. I would also argue Doug Wickenheiser was a bigger bust, as the Candiens could have picked Montreal's own, Denis Savard.

To say there is no question Yak is the biggest bust in NHL history is patently false, and hyperbolic at best.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Locke

Nobody wants as many Oiler games as him. Nobody.

Oops - I need more coffee.

I argue that everybody wanted more Oiler games the last 10 seasons - I wish the Flames had played them 10 more times a season

[topfiverecords]

Edmonton Oilers @EdmontonOilers
The selection becomes a second-round #NHLDraft choice in 2018 if Yakupov scores 15 or more goals during the 2016-17 season.

Not looking good.

[IgiTang]

Does that 15 goals have to be for the Blues? What happens if he gets dealt?

[Shazam]

Hasn't had a point in the last five games.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Hasn't had a point in the last five games.

The whole team has only had 10 goals in the last 5 games. 12 goals in the last 7 games.

[SuperMatt18]

I'd flip a 4th for him if they would bite TBH.

Potential that the 3rd they gave up and our 4th will end up being pretty close.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

well, there's no question now that he's the biggest bust in NHL history

Stefan . . . . . Daigle

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Stefan . . . . . Daigle

Lest we forget Brian Lawton.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Stefan . . . . . Daigle

Stefan
NHL Totals 455 64 124 188

Daigle
NHL Totals 616 129 198 327

Lawton
NHL Totals 483 112 154 266

Yakupov
NHL Totals 263 52 63 115

Yakupov has them all beat in futility so far and may not even be playing in the NHL by next year. He may actually beat Stefan as the worst #1 overall of all time. Stefan has 0.413 PPG while Yakupov has 0.437 PPG. Daigle and Lawton are superstars compared to those 2.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Stefan . . . . . Daigle

Stefan - 7 seasons, 455 GP, 188 points
Daigle - 12 seasons, 616 GP, 327 points
Yakupov - 4 seasons, 252 GP, 111 points

Just for comparison to date.