Clearly you speak out of your ass.

EDM ain't that great... weather wise or hockey wise.

I've lived in both cities... EDM is a dump compared to mtl
- La Raie

Researching and presenting factual information on two cities weather for comparison is speaking out of ones ass? Interesting. I figured me saying something like the Nordiques were a complete joke of a franchise till they moved to Denver would be speaking out of my ass. Guess you guys do it differently out east.

Sorry but Yandle is a wimp compared to PK Subban. Subban is still a kid and by the time he is 25 years old he will dominate from the back end. Subban for Yakupov would be a done deal if I was the oiler GM. PK will be a Norris candidate soon and the oil need a guy like him. I also think PK would love to come to Edmonton and play with all the young stars. Yakupov will be trouble down the road whether he is average or great. Subban has a unique passion for the game and plays to win, a tremendous hitter, a wicked slapper and a unreal skater with superb strength in all areas including his mouth.
- flyerdude17

Why? Because he's Russian? Yakupov has an amazing attitude.

Nuh uh. You guys started it!
- ruttager17

Well if that's the case...I hope it snows in Edmonton tomorrow! take that

Why? Because he's Russian? Yakupov has an amazing attitude.
- laughs2907

Yashin had the same great attitude at 18 and the rest is history. Actually no knock on Yak really I just believe a guy like Subban will challeng Weber for the Norris down the road. Pk is a winner and just saying playing with a bunch of young guns like the OIl have he would break out offensively. I mean Subban had 49 points as a rookie I believe in Montreal, a team challenged to score.

Ok I'll give you the point regarding it's been some time since Daigle and Stefan and I will admit scouting has vastly improved.

Not sure Karlsson is a good example though because I'd find it hard to believe anyone expected what he did last season. As for Subban's stats....can't say 35 is his limit. He's only played two seasons and defensemen take longer to develop. I think this would explain his positioning too, he's till learning and the curve is much bigger for a d. Once again I think Karlsson is an exception here.

Also I'm not sure I agree about his attitude, I've heard the reports but I think personally he's being mislabeled by the media. I love his attitude, always got a big smile on his face and looks like he's having tons of fun playing hockey. That doesn't seem to sit well with more traditional hockey pundits. Not sure why.

But let's get back to your stat...96% of first overall picks or something have superstar backing? Mind if I asked where you pulled that stat from?
- Hockey_Hoser

not going to say i disagree with you friend. my take, subban is promising, but i don't see him hitting the elite level that puts him in a group with the weber, chara, suter, doughty, lidstrom's of this league. the elite level #1's. he's going to be a great player.

of course, karlsson's not exactly a comparable. at the end of the day, it's all opinion. mine is that subban will probably be a good hockey player in this league, but not to the extent that it warrants trading a first overall pick for him straight up, before yak has hit the ice. to me, the potential alone at that level, while not being tradeable at the elite level, certainly points to the elite level. it would be senseless for edmonton to trade him, unless it was in some kind of package for a weber type defenseman, a far more guaranteed thing than subban.

the 96% superstar thing is of course opinion as well. what i mean, is that out of players drafted 1st overall in the 2000's.. dipietro, kovalchuk, nash, fleury, ovechkin, erik johnson, patrick kane, stamkos, tavares, hall, nugent-hopkins, yakupov.. there's a high volume of them that are, or are going to be superstars. what constitutes being a superstar? for me, dipietro for sure, probably johnson, maybe kane, are the misses, yakupov is about to make a case. 96% was a random number thrown out to represent a high volume of what in my opinion is how the draft class has evolved to the point that drafting 1st overall is about as close to dependable in terms of drafting a franchise player/superstar as it gets. not the type you trade away before they play.

hope that explained it a bit.

Ok I'll give you the point regarding it's been some time since Daigle and Stefan and I will admit scouting has vastly improved.

Not sure Karlsson is a good example though because I'd find it hard to believe anyone expected what he did last season. As for Subban's stats....can't say 35 is his limit. He's only played two seasons and defensemen take longer to develop. I think this would explain his positioning too, he's till learning and the curve is much bigger for a d. Once again I think Karlsson is an exception here.

Also I'm not sure I agree about his attitude, I've heard the reports but I think personally he's being mislabeled by the media. I love his attitude, always got a big smile on his face and looks like he's having tons of fun playing hockey. That doesn't seem to sit well with more traditional hockey pundits. Not sure why.

But let's get back to your stat...96% of first overall picks or something have superstar backing? Mind if I asked where you pulled that stat from?
- Hockey_Hoser

I won't agree with his numbers, but statistically, it's highly unlikely he'll be a "bust". Take the last 25 1st overall picks (not including Yakupov).

Joe Murphy (1986) to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011)

In that time frame, there were 4 players who couldbe considered "busts": Daigle, Berard, Stefan, and DiPietro. Whether it was insane injuries or lack of drive, they all received the monkier (although I argue against Berard's inclusion in that list, but I digress). That's 4/25 at a 16% rate of failure among 1st overalls within these past 25 years. But that argument holds little ground due to the overwhelming increase in focus on drafting. Looking post-lockout, only one can be even remotely considered a "bust" in Erik Johnson. He's established himself as a fine #2 D-man in this league. Therefore success rates after the lockout have climbed to approximately 100%. Appeased?

Yashin had the same great attitude at 18 and the rest is history. Actually no knock on Yak really I just believe a guy like Subban will challeng Weber for the Norris down the road. Pk is a winner and just saying playing with a bunch of young guns like the OIl have he would break out offensively. I mean Subban had 49 points as a rookie I believe in Montreal, a team challenged to score.
- flyerdude17

There's nothing that kills your argument quicker then misquoting a fact. Subban scored 36 points as a rookie for the Habs. Still impressive for a rookie defenseman.

Well if that's the case...I hope it snows in Edmonton tomorrow! take that
- Hockey_Hoser

Fine with me, i live 5 hours south of Edmonton.

not going to say i disagree with you friend. my take, subban is promising, but i don't see him hitting the elite level that puts him in a group with the weber, chara, suter, doughty, lidstrom's of this league. the elite level #1's. he's going to be a great player.

of course, karlsson's not exactly a comparable. at the end of the day, it's all opinion. mine is that subban will probably be a good hockey player in this league, but not to the extent that it warrants trading a first overall pick for him straight up, before yak has hit the ice. to me, the potential alone at that level, while not being tradeable at the elite level, certainly points to the elite level. it would be senseless for edmonton to trade him, unless it was in some kind of package for a weber type defenseman, a far more guaranteed thing than subban.

the 96% superstar thing is of course opinion as well. what i mean, is that out of players drafted 1st overall in the 2000's.. dipietro, kovalchuk, nash, fleury, ovechkin, erik johnson, patrick kane, stamkos, tavares, hall, nugent-hopkins, yakupov.. there's a high volume of them that are, or are going to be superstars. what constitutes being a superstar? for me, dipietro for sure, probably johnson, maybe kane, are the misses, yakupov is about to make a case. 96% was a random number thrown out to represent a high volume of what in my opinion is how the draft class has evolved to the point that drafting 1st overall is about as close to dependable in terms of drafting a franchise player/superstar as it gets. not the type you trade away before they play.

hope that explained it a bit.
- joel878

Sure did, thank you sir.

or this

http://youtu.be/Ermpn_1DGhE
- Symba007

Only problem....we won't hear from Flyfreak for 2 days after he see's that.

Seems somewhat fair. Edm has a lot of skill forwards. Reality says one of the 4 has to go to fill many of the other holes this team has. Keith Handle is solid as well. I actually believe Sub an is a better fit as the oilers could use the grit and personality in their room.

I won't agree with his numbers, but statistically, it's highly unlikely he'll be a "bust". Take the last 25 1st overall picks (not including Yakupov).

Joe Murphy (1986) to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011)

In that time frame, there were 4 players who couldbe considered "busts": Daigle, Berard, Stefan, and DiPietro. Whether it was insane injuries or lack of drive, they all received the monkier (although I argue against Berard's inclusion in that list, but I digress). That's 4/25 at a 16% rate of failure among 1st overalls within these past 25 years. But that argument holds little ground due to the overwhelming increase in focus on drafting. Looking post-lockout, only one can be even remotely considered a "bust" in Erik Johnson. He's established himself as a fine #2 D-man in this league. Therefore success rates after the lockout have climbed to approximately 100%. Appeased?
- MaximumBone

NO! I want more dammit!!!! lol honestly though me likey stats

Fine with me, i live 5 hours south of Edmonton.
- ruttager17

Gave it my best shot...clearly not one of my strengths.

Yashin had the same great attitude at 18 and the rest is history. Actually no knock on Yak really I just believe a guy like Subban will challeng Weber for the Norris down the road. Pk is a winner and just saying playing with a bunch of young guns like the OIl have he would break out offensively. I mean Subban had 49 points as a rookie I believe in Montreal, a team challenged to score.
- flyerdude17

What does Yashin have to do with Yakupov?

There is no denying that Subban is on the cusp of being a mega-star in the NHL. He is becoming the player that you build around. If anyone does deny this then they are clearly delusional. My point here is that Bergevin MAY consider trading Subban for a king's ransom and nothing less. It would take something like Yakupov, Gagner, Musil, and a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder to get it done. Now, of course this is my surmise however I would suggest it is close to what it would take for the Oilers to pluck Subban out of Montreal. Remember, just because someone was drafted 1st overall does not mean they will be successful and Montreal will never take the chanc of losing out on a deal like this. God knows we have seen enough of these young kids fizzle out over the years.
- MadManPaddy

I'll have two of whatever he is smoking..

Why? Because he's Russian? Yakupov has an amazing attitude.
- laughs2907

Honestly I know nothing about whether or not he has an attitude. That being said I'm sure you know he has already come off as a bit of a show boat in edm and according to Ryan Rishaud it didn't sit to well with a few of the vets(not sure how credible RR and his tweets r)

There is no denying that Subban is on the cusp of being a mega-star in the NHL. He is becoming the player that you build around. If anyone does deny this then they are clearly delusional. My point here is that Bergevin MAY consider trading Subban for a king's ransom and nothing less. It would take something like Yakupov, Gagner, Musil, and a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder to get it done. Now, of course this is my surmise however I would suggest it is close to what it would take for the Oilers to pluck Subban out of Montreal. Remember, just because someone was drafted 1st overall does not mean they will be successful and Montreal will never take the chanc of losing out on a deal like this. God knows we have seen enough of these young kids fizzle out over the years.
- MadManPaddy

This is gonna have to go in the epic posts thread.

I'll have two of whatever he is smoking..
- shinebox

Nice location....Cam Neely had an amazing faceoff win % something crazy like 99%.

There's nothing that kills your argument quicker then misquoting a fact. Subban scored 36 points as a rookie for the Habs. Still impressive for a rookie defenseman.
- Hockey_Hoser

My bad,,,,,,, you were wrong too! He actually had 14 goals and 24 helpers for 38 points in his rookie season, not too shabby.

This is gonna have to go in the epic posts thread.
- prock

Leaf fan he bees, likely glucks.

Nice location....Cam Neely had an amazing faceoff win % something crazy like 99%.
- Hockey_Hoser

My bad,,,,,,, you were wrong too! He actually had 14 goals and 24 helpers for 38 points in his rookie season, not too shabby.
- flyerdude17

I failed to fact check my own facts...the irony.

Gave it my best shot...clearly not one of my strengths.
- Hockey_Hoser

Well if you were American you would have thought we were right next to each other, and that i know Jeff and Cindy from Canada.

What does Yashin have to do with Yakupov?
- laughs2907

Wait a few years and then you will know the answer. It has something to do with greed, being a prima donna and injured a lot and not being liked by his teammates.
There is no guarantee that Yak will turn out that way but it is a possibilty. I understand he has already been acting like Rob Schremp, I mean a hot dog.

I failed to fact check my own facts...the irony.
- Hockey_Hoser

No problem, nice to talk hockey with ya!