That is a little bit of a red flag for me. This means he feels entitled to a roster spot. He gets scratched, and instead of trying to battle his way back onto the roster, he essentially just requests a trade, instead. Buyer beware.
- JAKEw1234

Still, #1 overall pick. 17 goals in 48 games last season. Ya gots to kick the tires on this one.

That is a little bit of a red flag for me. This means he feels entitled to a roster spot. He gets scratched, and instead of trying to battle his way back onto the roster, he essentially just requests a trade, instead. Buyer beware.
- JAKEw1234

I'm just not a believer in that line of thinking -- hockey has always been littered with coaches and players who don't fit, and one or the other has to go.

In Edmonton, Nail Yakupov was fine until Dallas Eakins got there. Some systems just don't fit some guys, and instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, I still think it's better to just move the player.

Matt Duchene crushed Joe Sacco earlier this year, said that the players knew his system wouldn't work. This is the same situation -- the only thing that's changed from last year to this one is the coach. The player is the same. I think Edmonton would be better off in using the player Eakins doesn't like to acquire players who would be a better fit, instead of trying to change the player into something they clearly don't agree upon.

Still, #1 overall pick. 17 goals in 48 games last season. Ya gots to kick the tires on this one.
- MBFlyerfan

What would you be happy giving for him?

I'm just not a believer in that line of thinking -- hockey has always been littered with coaches and players who don't fit, and one or the other has to go.

In Edmonton, Nail Yakupov was fine until Dallas Eakins got there. Some systems just don't fit some guys, and instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, I still think it's better to just move the player.

Matt Duchene crushed Joe Sacco earlier this year, said that the players knew his system wouldn't work. This is the same situation -- the only thing that's changed from last year to this one is the coach. The player is the same. I think Edmonton would be better off in using the player Eakins doesn't like to acquire players who would be a better fit, instead of trying to change the player into something they clearly don't agree upon.
- AllInForFlyers

Ya, and idk if Yak would fit our system any better. Our new system demands defensive responsibility. So far I think Yak has shown he's pretty abysmal defensively.

What would you be happy giving for him?
- JAKEw1234

Now that would take some thought. I am actually not really sure. Brayden Schenn maybe..........maybe.

What would you be happy giving for him?
- JAKEw1234

Truthfully? He won't fit with the Flyers, either -- Craig Berube wants to play a defense-first system, too. He'd be just as miserable in Philadelphia as he is there.

He'd fit with the Rags, or the Pens, or the Red Wings...teams like that. I'd love to add the guy's talent, but he wouldn't fit with what we're trying to do, either.

EDIT: Yeah, you see it, too. There's no fit for the guy, here.

Was I the only one who thought it was weird to see Bettman in front of a crowd of people and not hear it raining down with boo's?

Truthfully? He won't fit with the Flyers, either -- Craig Berube wants to play a defense-first system, too. He'd be just as miserable in Philadelphia as he is there.

He'd fit with the Rags, or the Pens, or the Red Wings...teams like that. I'd love to add the guy's talent, but he wouldn't fit with what we're trying to do, either.

EDIT: Yeah, you see it, too. There's no fit for the guy, here.
- AllInForFlyers

I'm sure Craig Berube will be the warm, fuzzy mentor that Yakupov is looking for.

/almost typed that with a straight face
//almost...

Still, #1 overall pick. 17 goals in 48 games last season. Ya gots to kick the tires on this one.
- MBFlyerfan

Absolutely. A kid with his skill level, you find a way to fit him in. The Broad Street Bullies Flyers played a strict system, but they fit Reggie Leach and Rick MacLeish in, because of their skills.

Scoring at last season's rate over 82 games is a 30 goal rookie season.

I'm sure Craig Berube will be the warm, fuzzy mentor that Yakupov is looking for.

/almost typed that with a straight face
//almost...
- johndewar

I wonder if Bill thinks he'd be a fit in Dallas. I think they are sneaky like that -- they're trying to build a "Detroit-model" team, and IIRC, the Stars might have the kind of wingers with size that Edmonton needs. I wonder if they'd try to be sneaky and gamble on the talent.

I wonder if Bill thinks he'd be a fit in Dallas. I think they are sneaky like that -- they're trying to build a "Detroit-model" team, and IIRC, the Stars might have the kind of wingers with size that Edmonton needs. I wonder if they'd try to be sneaky and gamble on the talent.
- AllInForFlyers

what's wrong with simmonds coburn and ? for yakupov

I wonder if Bill thinks he'd be a fit in Dallas. I think they are sneaky like that -- they're trying to build a "Detroit-model" team, and IIRC, the Stars might have the kind of wingers with size that Edmonton needs. I wonder if they'd try to be sneaky and gamble on the talent.
- AllInForFlyers

EDM needs big D men first and foremost. Dallas doesn't have that to spare at all.

Its amazing to me they havent dumped Hemsky yet and given Yak a spot in the top 6. He is never going to do anything well on the 3rd or 4th lines. Think Briere.

Absolutely. A kid with his skill level, you find a way to fit him in. The Broad Street Bullies Flyers played a strict system, but they fit Reggie Leach and Rick MacLeish in, because of their skills.

Scoring at last season's rate over 82 games is a 30 goal rookie season.
- Jsaquella

Hell, I wish we'd go get him. But Berube seems to be one of those coaches who just...there are some guys who just want to grind it out, keep the scores low, keep the scoring chances low.

It takes a certain kind of coach to be successful with a guy like Yakupov...I don't mean that as an insult to Berube. But if you're the kind of coach like Hitchcock is, or John Tortorella, where you can't stand giving up one freaking scoring chance...they should just pass on this kid, because he's a "trade chances" player.

what's wrong with simmonds coburn and ? for yakupov
- 2Real

There's nothing wrong with that -- hell, I wish we'd do that. I just don't think Craig Berube's having any of that.

what's wrong with simmonds coburn and ? for yakupov
- 2Real

The "?" is probably a 1st rounder right now. Struggling or not he is a 20yrold 1st overall pick. Simmonds almost adds nothing to get a player with that sort of potential.

EDM needs big D men first and foremost. Dallas doesn't have that to spare at all.

Its amazing to me they havent dumped Hemsky yet and given Yak a spot in the top 6. He is never going to do anything well on the 3rd or 4th lines. Think Briere.
- hereticpride

See, that's what I'd do. He'd be in my Top 6, and I'd be trying to see if he really is a 40-goal version of Pavel Bure.

Absolutely. A kid with his skill level, you find a way to fit him in. The Broad Street Bullies Flyers played a strict system, but they fit Reggie Leach and Rick MacLeish in, because of their skills.

Scoring at last season's rate over 82 games is a 30 goal rookie season.
- Jsaquella

The player they should have selected was Alex Galchenyuk

Hell, I wish we'd go get him. But Berube seems to be one of those coaches who just...there are some guys who just want to grind it out, keep the scores low, keep the scoring chances low.

It takes a certain kind of coach to be successful with a guy like Yakupov...I don't mean that as an insult to Berube. But if you're the kind of coach like Hitchcock is, or John Tortorella, where you can't stand giving up one freaking scoring chance...they should just pass on this kid, because he's a "trade chances" player.
- AllInForFlyers

I disagree, to an extent. I don't think Berube's a grind it out guy at all, he's got a team that isn't scoring and he's trying to win games to make a case to be the coach next year.

He's demanding responsible play, but he's not trying to win games 2-1.

Coburn, Simmonds 2014 & 2015 2nd rounders for Yak.

I think that would be my limit.

The "?" is probably a 1st rounder right now. Struggling or not he is a 20yrold 1st overall pick. Simmonds almost adds nothing to get a player with that sort of potential.
- hereticpride

Unless a team has a hard on for Simmonds. Mark Spector of Sportsnet says the Oilers love Simmonds

Unless a team has a hard on for Simmonds. Mark Spector of Sportsnet says the Oilers love Simmonds
- Jsaquella

And they love Coburn. I dont think the two are enough for them though.

I disagree, to an extent. I don't think Berube's a grind it out guy at all, he's got a team that isn't scoring and he's trying to win games to make a case to be the coach next year.

He's demanding responsible play, but he's not trying to win games 2-1.
- Jsaquella

If that's the case...I really wish we'd go get this kid.

With Steve Downie on the team...I'd take the risk. I'd hate losing what Simmonds and Coburn bring to the team, but I'd take the risk.

Coburn, Simmonds 2014 & 2015 2nd rounders for Yak.

I think that would be my limit.
- hereticpride

Can't give 'em the 2014...that just might be a Top 5 pick if we don't get this thing out of the ditch

Unless a team has a hard on for Simmonds. Mark Spector of Sportsnet says the Oilers love Simmonds
- Jsaquella

I would do Simmonds plus one more asset (depending on that asset of course)for Yakupov in a second.

Can't give 'em the 2014...that just might be a Top 5 pick if we don't get this thing out of the ditch
- AllInForFlyers

2nd rounders, not the 1st's.