[News] Oilers Scratch Yakupov... Again

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Not a fan of Yak, but your 12 points in 20 (0.60)and 19 points in the last 28 (0.68) actually shows improvement. The six games this year is way too small a sample size to mean much.
I think if MacT was serious about making a change, Yak is the most obvious guy to move. Hall/Eberle/Nuge all got paid as cornerstones and Yak isn't there yet. I hope they move him for an overrated, overpaid D-man (Phaneuf? Wideman? (that was for Moon, I like Wideman and want him to stay)).

Just to be clear, "Yak" had 6 goals in his last 3 games last year, well after all the pressure was off and the Coilers were circling the bowl.

So, for your points percentage, it is probably better to show his 12 points in 20 games (0.60 / game) when the team was hot and the start of the year and expectations were low, then 13 in 25 games when the pressure was on (0.52 / game), followed by 6 in 3 after things were pretty much done (2.00 / game).

At the end of the day, he's shown a flair for scoring goals when it doesn't really matter, has shown to be clueless in his own end of the rink (if he even knows where that is), has stated he doesn't really like to skate or work hard to get the puck, and is a 'me first hotdog' type of player. You don't win with those types of knobs on your team and I hope the coilers keep him for a long time and trade Hall or Eberle for some short term (and useless I hope) help.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Just to be clear, "Yak" had 6 goals in his last 3 games last year, well after all the pressure was off and the Coilers were circling the bowl.

So, for your points percentage, it is probably better to show his 12 points in 20 games (0.60 / game) when the team was hot and the start of the year and expectations were low, then 13 in 25 games when the pressure was on (0.52 / game), followed by 6 in 3 after things were pretty much done (2.00 / game).

At the end of the day, he's shown a flair for scoring goals when it doesn't really matter, has shown to be clueless in his own end of the rink (if he even knows where that is), has stated he doesn't really like to skate or work hard to get the puck, and is a 'me first hotdog' type of player. You don't win with those types of knobs on your team and I hope the coilers keep him for a long time and trade Hall or Eberle for some short term (and useless I hope) help.

Again, not defending the Oilers or Yakupov, but the fact that he scored goals after they were out of it, shouldn't be held against him. Couldn't you say the same thing for Baertschi?

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Again, not defending the Oilers or Yakupov, but the fact that he scored goals after they were out of it, shouldn't be held against him. Couldn't you say the same thing for Baertschi?

Yup, I guess you could.

At the end of the day, I'd say Yakupov's value is dropping. He's hurt himself significantly so far this year and since being sat out two games he's come back for the next two and............ looked lazy and uninterested unless he has the puck on his stick. He doesn't forecheck, doesn't backcheck and is generally useless unless the puck is on his stick, and so far this year he's been useless then too.

Sven got called out by the President of the team and has played significantly better, earning praise from his coach.

Yak, not so much.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Again, not defending the Oilers or Yakupov, but the fact that he scored goals after they were out of it, shouldn't be held against him. Couldn't you say the same thing for Baertschi?

Not really, since no one has been making that comparison. Baertschi this year though is actually working his ass off in the neutral and defensive zones. He's playing a stronger game. Unlike Yakapov he's actually making strides and progressing on being a better NHL player.

Edmonton's problem is these kids never really had to work to be successful in junior, they were head and shoulders above everyone and could literally do what they want when they wanted, had everything given to them so they could succeed. They treat the NHL the same way. Only problem is, everyone in the NHL can play. Pro sports is more about about defense then offense... it's the old adage, offense wins games, defense wins championships.

These kids like playing with the puck, if they knew, or figured out that defensive hockey is more about getting the puck back then keeping it out of your net, maybe they'd work harder to get the puck back so they can play with it.

[Flash Walken]

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

In his first. 53 GP. Yakupov has as many goals/points as Stamkos and Hall did. I think he'll be alright.

you can't compare Stamkos and Yakupov AT ALL. Stamkos was buried in Tampa at the beginning of his NHL career when Melrose was the coach, I believe he played about 8 minutes per game in the first quarter of the season. Melrose completely misused Stamkos and didn't give him any opportunities - you can't say the same about Yakupov in his first season, can you? Stamkos heavily improved when Tocchet took over and finished his rookie season with 20 points in his last 19 games. If Tocchet (or anybody else, really) was the Lightning coach from the get go, Stamkos would have had a much better rookie season.

[kyuss275]

With the news that Hall is out for 4 weeks, have to think Yakupov will be given a legit chance to redeem himself. My guess is Yakupov is now on the 1st line.

[Robbob]

If he doesn't get it going now the masses will be headed to Rexall with pitchfork and torches...where they will drink blue koolaid and roast weenies over the fire. I see nothing changing.

[Erick Estrada]

Bringing this up from the dead I know. I just wanted to say that after watching this guy play this season I really don't think he's a very good player. He's like a more talented Blake Comeau. Seems to have no hockey sense and a freelancer. I recall when Dreger said the Leafs weren't interested in him in that they aren't sure about him. He definitely looks like one of the worst first overall picks in recent memory.

IMO he needs to be send down the AHL for more development because his game needs a lot of work.

[MisterJoji]

Yakupov for Backlund. Get it done Feaster.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Bringing this up from the dead I know. I just wanted to say that after watching this guy play this season I really don't think he's a very good player. He's like a more talented Blake Comeau. Seems to have no hockey sense and a freelancer. I recall when Dreger said the Leafs weren't interested in him in that they aren't sure about him. He definitely looks like one of the worst first overall picks in recent memory.

IMO he needs to be send down the AHL for more development because his game needs a lot of work.

Agreed on sending him down and he can take RNH with him because they both aren't ready for the NHL. Not even close to ready. They might get their points but they're both lacking a team game and don't know the sacrifice it takes to be an NHLer every day. They couldn't find the defensive zone if their careers depended on it.

But he IS a real good player along with RNH but don't forget this is the Oilers organization so they probably have handled them both wrong.

I give Oiler players the benefit of the doubt considering the Klowne organization they are playing for. I bet the Oilers would have found a way to screw up Tavarez or Kane. The organization is just a terrible place to start your career and add that to the fact they hire incompetent doctors and trainers who force players back early then you have a recipe for disaster.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Bringing this up from the dead I know. I just wanted to say that after watching this guy play this season I really don't think he's a very good player. He's like a more talented Blake Comeau. Seems to have no hockey sense and a freelancer. I recall when Dreger said the Leafs weren't interested in him in that they aren't sure about him. He definitely looks like one of the worst first overall picks in recent memory.

IMO he needs to be send down the AHL for more development because his game needs a lot of work.

Completely agree.

But that's the Russian problem: he needs to learn how to be an NHLer, but he doesn't think so.

So if they dare send him down, he immediately becomes a huge flight risk.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He's like a more talented Blake Comeau.

At least one of the two was played on both PP and PK. For some reason

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO he needs to be send down the AHL for more development because his game needs a lot of work.

Him and RNH both. Then ship Hall to get his bones replaced with titanium.

Actually, that might make the Oilers less than terrible if all that works out. Forget I just said that.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Completely agree.

But that's the Russian problem: he needs to learn how to be an NHLer, but he doesn't think so.

So if they dare send him down, he immediately becomes a huge flight risk.

Part of the reasoning to send young players to the AHL is to get them to have some veterans and different coaches help set them straight attitude wise, in addition to playing more minutes against a calibre of opponents a step slower and a step or two less skilled to gain/regain confidence.

Question is, is the Oilers farm team setup any better in regard to providing some quality mentorship, than the big club?

[Five-hole]

Can they even send him to the AHL? He was drafted out of the CHL and isn't 20 yet, no?

(I'm not going to check the facts myself because it's the Oilers and I just don't care.)

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Can they even send him to the AHL? He was drafted out of the CHL and isn't 20 yet, no?

(I'm not going to check the facts myself because it's the Oilers and I just don't care.)

S
Haha, he could go back to Junior

[Da_Chief]

^more then 9 games, no juniors i think either.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Can they even send him to the AHL? He was drafted out of the CHL and isn't 20 yet, no?

(I'm not going to check the facts myself because it's the Oilers and I just don't care.)

He is 20.

[Badgers Nose]

They could have traded down in the draft, got a solid d-man and a few more picks.

Instead they get Yak.

I'm not even a fan and it makes me mad.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

^more then 9 games, no juniors i think either.

Playing more than nine games doesn't determine junior eligibility, it determines contract considerations. The Flames can send Monahan back to Ottawa at any time before mid February, but doing so still burns the first year of his contract.

And Yakupov is a player that could benefit from some time on the farm. The flight risk/pouting issues become prominent in that scenario though. Good luck, Edmonton!