Yakupov has asked for a trade

[Illuminaughty]

With that article being out, now his trade value is likely even lower.

Man, the Oilers never fail to make it difficult on themselves, seems like they are always in these over a barrel situations every year.

[OldDutch]

Dude is Patrik Stefan part deux. Some guys no matter how high they were drafted just don't adjust. I wouldn't waste any pick on him. He's just not going to be in the league five years out.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Illuminaughty

Why on earth would Yzerman do that? Drouin has more value then a reclamation project Yak.

There's no guarantee Yak would be on one of the top 3 lines in Tampa, with the forward depth they have. Drouin can't even crack the line up because of the depth. Add in the salary difference and the coming cap crunch Tampa is in, I can't see it.

Drouin has proven less in the NHL than Yak has and they were drafted a year apart. I just think both have poor value in a trade when compared to their pedigree so it would make sense as a change of scenery trade.

I wouldn't write Yak off and would be fine if the Flames took a shot on him, my same thoughts with Drouin.

[Mike F]

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Dude is Patrik Stefan part deux. Some guys no matter how high they were drafted just don't adjust. I wouldn't waste any pick on him. He's just not going to be in the league five years out.

This is possible but the Oilers have been so bad at developing players that I would not totally write Yakupov off yet.

[btimbit]

I think he could still find a middle 6 roll somewhere. But he's not the type of player we want.

What does he esrn in return? I bet the Oilers could get a third from someone

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

and Yak is better than Sven.

Very questionable. At best, I think they're a wash. Sven may be slightly better actually.

[The Fonz]

Can Yakupov really turn his game around?

Let's not forget, 10 of his 19 points this season came in the Oilers' first 13 GP while he was on a line with McDavid. After The Messiah's injury, Yakupov's stat line is a horrendous 9 points in 43 GP. That's a 17 point pace over 82 games.

[Cheerio]

I would give up a pair of 2nds for him. He is a scoring RW which is something we need badly. Too bad the Oilers would never trade him here.

[Illuminaughty]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Drouin has proven less in the NHL than Yak has and they were drafted a year apart. I just think both have poor value in a trade when compared to their pedigree so it would make sense as a change of scenery trade.

I wouldn't write Yak off and would be fine if the Flames took a shot on him, my same thoughts with Drouin.

Drouin has proven less because he hasn't had much of an opportunity at the NHL level. Yak has proven to be a pretty bad NHL player, while being drafted on to a team that was in a position to give him ample opportunities to excel.

The Oilers have been fairly patient with him for years, even though they rushed him into the lineup. Now both the team and the player need to go their separate ways and move on.

I think Drouin has more value because he has less NHL exposure.

[codynw]

Yakupov could be the answer to the top line RW. Shoot first player with high skill. Not the smartest player, but if he's with Monahan and Gaudreau he wouldn't need to be. For the right price I'd gamble on him.

[Wood]

He's only 22, he has all the tools to be a successful NHL player but he needs out of Edmonton. But so does everyone there

I hope for his sake he can escape the Oilers and turn it around. He's a guy with a good attitude and he wants to play in the NHL. I think he's a player that a good coach could get his game back on track

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

I would give up a pair of 2nds for him. He is a scoring RW which is something we need badly. Too bad the Oilers would never trade him here.

Hell no. And since when is he a scoring RW.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Hell no. And since when is he a scoring RW.

He's a right wing, who put up 20 points in 28 games playing with Derek Roy. He's been jerked around by the Oilers coaches and he will greatly benefit from a change in scenery. He would be a much better option on the top line than Freddy Hamilton, Micheal Ferland or Lance Bouma

[Jason14h]

Pavel Brendl 2.0. He's done

[Wood]

He's worth nothing more than a conditional 2nd/3rd at this point

IMO I wouldn't mind it if the Flames took a chance on him. There's still very good potential there and he plays a position were fairly weak in

[CaptainCrunch]

FIrst of a few more I guess.

The rats are going to abandon the ship.

[d_phaneuf]

would give up a 2nd/3rd for him definitely, he's a lottery ticket but just getting out of Edmonton could be a big help

dont think Edmonton trades him in the division though

[yourbestfriend]

I would take a chance on him.
Talent is there no doubt, I like his attitude, haven't really heard too much about him complaining about his time in edmonton.
He's young enough to turn it around, and would be playing with some ok talent here as well. If you slot him on RW anywhere on our first three lines I think he'd do ok.

I think he'd be good for 20/20 in cgy depending on who he plays with which is well worth 2nd+4th round pick.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I hope Edmonton trades him out of the division, then Treliving sweeps in a picks him up from his new team a la Jones to San Jose via Boston. Oiler fans would lose their #### if that happened.