[News] Oilers Scratch Yakupov... Again

[devo22]

I wouldn't want Yak on the Flames at all, whatever the acquisition cost ... can you imagine a guy like him, who seems self-centered and who doesn't want to play defense, wanting to play under Bob Hartley? He'd board a plane to Russia after two or three practice sessions.

[the2bears]

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.

If you don't think he'd work that much better here, I don't understand why you'd trade a fairly high lottery pick for him. I wouldn't.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by devo22

I wouldn't want Yak on the Flames at all, whatever the acquisition cost ... can you imagine a guy like him, who seems self-centered and who doesn't want to play defense, wanting to play under Bob Hartley? He'd board a plane to Russia after two or three practice sessions.

Hartley did manage Kovalchuk well, granted Kovalchuk was doing much better offensively than Yakupov.

[Jacks]

Doesn't matter what we would give, NYR, Toronto or one of the other big market playoff teams would probably give a 1st plus a top prospect. Our first would be the starting point in negotiations so no thanks.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I hope where ever he is traded (excluding Vancouver) that he lights it up.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I hope where ever he is traded (excluding Vancouver) that he lights it up.

I don't. Him and the Oilers were a match made in heaven and both deserve what's happening right now. This is a case where I hope he either bolts for Russia or is traded to another NHL team for a crappy return and then sucks on that team, too.

[EYE_Overstand]

flames getting any of the big 4 would never happen. Im sure the clowns up north wouldn't even do that.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I hope he either bolts for Russia or is traded to another NHL team for a crappy return and then sucks on that team, too.

Yes please.

Mind you, that might actually force changes in management, I'm torn on this one.

[Poe969]

My guess is he goes to the wings and plays amazingly

[Resolute 14]

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.

Complete and utter waste of a high first round pick. Yakupov is the antithesis of everything the Flames are trying to build. You can't separate the skill from the attitude, and you can't force desire into him. Yakupov is the kind of player we need to stay the hell away from.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Complete and utter waste of a high first round pick. Yakupov is the antithesis of everything the Flames are trying to build. You can't separate the skill from the attitude, and you can't force desire into him. Yakupov is the kind of player we need to stay the hell away from.

I wonder if Capitals fans were saying the same thing in 2004 when they drafted Ovechkin. They were seemingly is a similar stage as the Flames are now when he was drafted. Yakupov may have had a bad couple weeks to start off the season, but his ceiling is still far greater than pretty much anyone in this upcoming draft. That and this draft is supposedly inferior to last years and next years drafts. Unless we finish are picking in the top 3 (Reinhart, Ekblad, Nylander), then we're likely going to end up with someone whose potential will likely be far less than what is expected from Yakupov..

Yakupov was very good last year, and only just turned 20 last month, so it's way too early to write him off. The Oilers are using him very poorly, so some of the blame should land at their feet as well. I for one don't think he's a flight risk, but sure he does have perceived attitude issues. Although that's not a whole lot different than many 20 somethings in the league. Take Evander Kane or PK Subban; talented Canadian players, who are older than Yakupov and have their own attitude issues. Ovechkin had his share as well, so did Lindros, Lemieux and many other players over the years. But that doesn't mean Yakupov won't become a great player just like all those other players became in their careers.

Now there is zero chance the Oilers would trade him to Calgary, so the merit of it is not even worth debating. But I don't think his value is as low as some on here are expecting.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Yoho

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

You're right, Comeau was decent in the defensive zone and hit every once in a while too.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Who on the Oilers is there that can take Yak under his wing to provide leadership and guidance? Ference.. and who?

Anyone remember Yakupov's scouting reports? One thing I really loved about his game was the mention of him being a very aggressive fore checker (and good back checker) who went and got the puck himself when he didn't have it. I believe at the Ivan Hlinka tournament he turned a lot of heads with his aggressive play.

Now look at the Oilers. Here is a kid surrounded by kids who obviously don't play a 200ft game, but have been HIGHLY rewarded by the organization for their offensive contributions mostly. 6 million dollar long-term deals. Players that STILL don't play a 200ft game with any real sense of the word. Sure, he can go and back check, but why? Is it going to get him one of those contracts by trading a bit of his offensive ability in making sure his defensive game helps the team win, when nobody else seems to be willing to do it?

Sure, criticize this young kid for not 'wanting' or 'caring' to do it, but when he is sitting on the bench watching the highly-paid and heralded Hall, Eberle and RNH not exactly making the effort to do it themselves, why should he? I bet you put him on any team with a better culture, he WILL be a pretty decent 200ft player with a high-offensive ability.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Who on the Oilers is there that can take Yak under his wing to provide leadership and guidance? Ference.. and who?

Anyone remember Yakupov's scouting reports? One thing I really loved about his game was the mention of him being a very aggressive fore checker (and good back checker) who went and got the puck himself when he didn't have it. I believe at the Ivan Hlinka tournament he turned a lot of heads with his aggressive play.

Now look at the Oilers. Here is a kid surrounded by kids who obviously don't play a 200ft game, but have been HIGHLY rewarded by the organization for their offensive contributions mostly. 6 million dollar long-term deals. Players that STILL don't play a 200ft game with any real sense of the word. Sure, he can go and back check, but why? Is it going to get him one of those contracts by trading a bit of his offensive ability in making sure his defensive game helps the team win, when nobody else seems to be willing to do it?

Sure, criticize this young kid for not 'wanting' or 'caring' to do it, but when he is sitting on the bench watching the highly-paid and heralded Hall, Eberle and RNH not exactly making the effort to do it themselves, why should he? I bet you put him on any team with a better culture, he WILL be a pretty decent 200ft player with a high-offensive ability.

This is my thoughts as well. The prima donna culture needs to be removed for that team to ever succeed. Its like they think they have made it in the league just because they are high draft picks. They need to stop believing their own hype and buy in or be parted out to teams that will hold them accountable........ or not I guess, why would we want the Oil to get better.

[MisterJoji]

Honestly, I'd take Yakupov on the Flames at a decent cost. I don't see his main problem that he's a selfish prima donna at all. I see a player who has become a scapegoat for a pitiful coach and a pitiful team. Hall is yelling at him, Eberle constantly ignores him when looking to make a pass, and Eakins benches him even though the main problem with the team is defense (nice swarm Eakins) and goaltending. This kids confidence is rock bottom, and his play is a result of that. I think if he got a clean slate with a new team, you'd see the Yakupov of last year. He's never going to be Toews when it comes to the defensive side of things, but neither are a lot of dynamic goal scorers. As long as he's not a complete and total defensive liability, he'd be a great asset on a young team. I'd take him in a bargain deal. Something like Backlund + late round pick for Yakupov.

[Caged Great]

If he was free, I wouldn't want him at this point. You can always add a guy like Yakupov (attitude wise) if the rest of your team is decent. We aren't at that point and he'd take away from what we are trying to do (hard working tough team)

[nik-]

I'd take Yakupov if the cost was really low. It won't be, so no thanks.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Who on the Oilers is there that can take Yak under his wing to provide leadership and guidance? Ference.. and who?

Anyone remember Yakupov's scouting reports? One thing I really loved about his game was the mention of him being a very aggressive fore checker (and good back checker) who went and got the puck himself when he didn't have it. I believe at the Ivan Hlinka tournament he turned a lot of heads with his aggressive play.

Now look at the Oilers. Here is a kid surrounded by kids who obviously don't play a 200ft game, but have been HIGHLY rewarded by the organization for their offensive contributions mostly. 6 million dollar long-term deals. Players that STILL don't play a 200ft game with any real sense of the word. Sure, he can go and back check, but why? Is it going to get him one of those contracts by trading a bit of his offensive ability in making sure his defensive game helps the team win, when nobody else seems to be willing to do it?

Sure, criticize this young kid for not 'wanting' or 'caring' to do it, but when he is sitting on the bench watching the highly-paid and heralded Hall, Eberle and RNH not exactly making the effort to do it themselves, why should he? I bet you put him on any team with a better culture, he WILL be a pretty decent 200ft player with a high-offensive ability.

I still can't believe they gave out those contracts

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Who on the Oilers is there that can take Yak under his wing to provide leadership and guidance? Ference.. and who?

Anyone remember Yakupov's scouting reports? One thing I really loved about his game was the mention of him being a very aggressive fore checker (and good back checker) who went and got the puck himself when he didn't have it. I believe at the Ivan Hlinka tournament he turned a lot of heads with his aggressive play.

Now look at the Oilers. Here is a kid surrounded by kids who obviously don't play a 200ft game, but have been HIGHLY rewarded by the organization for their offensive contributions mostly. 6 million dollar long-term deals. Players that STILL don't play a 200ft game with any real sense of the word. Sure, he can go and back check, but why? Is it going to get him one of those contracts by trading a bit of his offensive ability in making sure his defensive game helps the team win, when nobody else seems to be willing to do it?

Sure, criticize this young kid for not 'wanting' or 'caring' to do it, but when he is sitting on the bench watching the highly-paid and heralded Hall, Eberle and RNH not exactly making the effort to do it themselves, why should he? I bet you put him on any team with a better culture, he WILL be a pretty decent 200ft player with a high-offensive ability.

I agree. In junior, Yakupov played a more complete game. He was very aggressive without the puck. A lot of young players try to go strictly offense when they break into the league because it's less physically demanding and they know that it is what will get them a big contract in a couple of years.

I don't think it's too late to turn Yakupov around, but it won't happen in that environment.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I wonder if Capitals fans were saying the same thing in 2004 when they drafted Ovechkin. They were seemingly is a similar stage as the Flames are now when he was drafted. Yakupov may have had a bad couple weeks to start off the season, but his ceiling is still far greater than pretty much anyone in this upcoming draft. That and this draft is supposedly inferior to last years and next years drafts. Unless we finish are picking in the top 3 (Reinhart, Ekblad, Nylander), then we're likely going to end up with someone whose potential will likely be far less than what is expected from Yakupov..

Yakupov was very good last year, and only just turned 20 last month, so it's way too early to write him off. The Oilers are using him very poorly, so some of the blame should land at their feet as well. I for one don't think he's a flight risk, but sure he does have perceived attitude issues. Although that's not a whole lot different than many 20 somethings in the league. Take Evander Kane or PK Subban; talented Canadian players, who are older than Yakupov and have their own attitude issues. Ovechkin had his share as well, so did Lindros, Lemieux and many other players over the years. But that doesn't mean Yakupov won't become a great player just like all those other players became in their careers.

Now there is zero chance the Oilers would trade him to Calgary, so the merit of it is not even worth debating. But I don't think his value is as low as some on here are expecting.

His value to us is as low as some here, myself included, are saying. Hartley and the Flames are trying to build a team that is all going the same direction, all willing to work hard every shift, and willing to sacrifice for each other. Not one of those characteristics describes Yakupov. He is simply the wrong player for our team.

Never mind the fact that his agent implicitly demanded a trade on his behalf yesterday because the Oilers aren't letting him play the game he wants to play.

He is also going to be expecting another one of those $6 million contracts the Oilers hand out after next year, and is the kind of player you simply can't push too hard because of the flight risk. If we do end up in the 4-6 range at the draft and we do want to trade that pick, we can grab a player who is a better fit for us. Lower talent ceiling perhaps, but greater chance of reward. I'd rather dangle that pick for a young defenceman than for a small, soft forward.