Interesting that Yak stuck with Roy with top line opportunity... Makes u wonder if there is friction between the kids... Gonna be an interesting finish esp if Yak finishes with 15+ goals considering where he was in the first 35 games...
- saskoil21

I don't see that at all. I think Yakupov is more concerned about producing and being as efficient as possible on the ice. If there is less connection on a different line, why keep it that way?

However, outside of the rink, not everyone is going to be best friends, but I don't see that becoming a factor when together as a team.

Rude
- Holy_Makinaw99

You'll find that's the general attitude in here. No other perspectives allowed.

I don't think that's an indication of friction. Yak has had less success in the past playing with Nuge and Eberle. He's had success this season with Roy. I think it's pretty clear cut. However if Yak is to continue playing well he should be promoted to that top line and learn to play with those guys.
- freelancer

Well my point is- why would you turn down more ice time when thats been a sticking point in the past?

I don't think that's an indication of friction. Yak has had less success in the past playing with Nuge and Eberle. He's had success this season with Roy. I think it's pretty clear cut. However if Yak is to continue playing well he should be promoted to that top line and learn to play with those guys.
- freelancer

I agree with the suggestion, and it should happen in due time. But, Yakupov is just getting his groove back. I'd make it a priority to have him succeed and be efficient for the rest of the season. Lots of time to work on playing with Hall-RNH-Ebs

You'll find that's the general attitude in here. No other perspectives allowed.
- bloatedmosquito

stop being such a dramatic whiner.

I don't see that at all. I think Yakupov is more concerned about producing and being as efficient as possible on the ice. If there is less connection on a different line, why keep it that way?

However, outside of the rink, not everyone is going to be best friends, but I don't see that becoming a factor when together as a team.
- ChetManly

I get efficiencies and keeping momentum- but more ice time is more ice time... not? But also maybe just a testament of how influential Roy has been...

Well my point is- why would you turn down more ice time when thats been a sticking point in the past?
- saskoil21

Why take him away from being successful just to be on the first line?

Why take him away from being successful just to be on the first line?
- ChetManly

true

I get efficiencies and keeping momentum- but more ice time is more ice time... not? But also maybe just a testament of how influential Roy has been...
- saskoil21

So what if he gets maybe an extra 2 minutes of time on the top line, if he isn't producing, then why change it?

(frank) yourself buddy...
- saskoil21

How about JVR + Clarkson for Yaks?

Clarkson being the salary dump but might bring some veteran leadership... plus edm can afford a bad contract.

I think JVR for Yaks is close to being equal and TO might be willing to part with him just to get rid of that awful clarkson contract.

Interesting that Yak stuck with Roy with top line opportunity... Makes u wonder if there is friction between the kids... Gonna be an interesting finish esp if Yak finishes with 15+ goals considering where he was in the first 35 games...
- saskoil21

why would that indicate friction?

stop being such a dramatic whiner.
- ChetManly

Sorry. Serious question above.

"We are just now seeing that Yakupov was stunted by a coach who didn’t understand him "

just now? Sorry but that was painfully obvious less than a month into last season.
- SpoiledByOil

Sorry, but no, it wasn't. No matter how much you want to scream "I TOLD YOU SO!" it would've been completely asinine to suggest that, after one month of coaching a 19 year old starting his sophomore season, the coach was stunting his growth. This is especially true when the only piece of evidence of his actual talent level in the NHL was a shortened season where he shot WELL above league average and had a torrid stretch to close out the season. Prior to that stretch, his numbers were frankly quite pedestrian.

To summarize, only an absolute moron could proclaim that it was clearly, evidently, and solely on the recently hired coach who the other high end players were oh so coincidentally having no problem playing under.

Try 1.5 years ago...
- saskoil21

That's exactly what i said...

Well my point is- why would you turn down more ice time when thats been a sticking point in the past?
- saskoil21

because he's finally feeling comfortable

How about JVR + Clarkson for Yaks?

Clarkson being the salary dump but might bring some veteran leadership... plus edm can afford a bad contract.

I think JVR for Yaks is close to being equal and TO might be willing to part with him just to get rid of that awful clarkson contract.
- bloatedmosquito

yea man, cause (frank) the cap, am i right?

yea man, cause (frank) the cap, am i right?
- SpoiledByOil

No more Cap Geek

I have no idea what your payroll is. Can you share?

How about JVR + Clarkson for Yaks?

Clarkson being the salary dump but might bring some veteran leadership... plus edm can afford a bad contract.

I think JVR for Yaks is close to being equal and TO might be willing to part with him just to get rid of that awful clarkson contract.
- bloatedmosquito

Except they can't. Add in both Clarkson and JVR adds around 10 million to our already top heavy cap team. Include that we need to A.) resign Schultz (3-4 mill) B.) sign a significant upgrade in net (4.5-5.5 mill), and C.) acquire a legitimate upgrade or two on the backend, and you're suddenly well above the cap. And for what? Another relatively soft top-6 winger?

Matt Henderson: G59 Oilers vs Bruins: What To Do With Yakupov
- Matt_Henderson

I would say we'd take him but Lou probably hates his guts before ever meeting him.

Sorry, but no, it wasn't. No matter how much you want to scream "I TOLD YOU SO!" it would've been completely asinine to suggest that, after one month of coaching a 19 year old starting his sophomore season, the coach was stunting his growth. This is especially true when the only piece of evidence of his actual talent level in the NHL was a shortened season where he shot WELL above league average and had a torrid stretch to close out the season. Prior to that stretch, his numbers were frankly quite pedestrian.

To summarize, only an absolute moron could proclaim that it was clearly, evidently, and solely on the recently hired coach who the other high end players were oh so coincidentally having no problem playing under.
- MaximumBone

only a moron who knows (frank) all about hockey can see the way he was handled at the very begining of his sophmore year and not see how he was being stunted and mishandled.

To summarize. I've been saying this SINCE THE (frank)ING START, and i was aboslutely correct.

Take your mightier than thou bullpoop elsewhere.

And the bolded, just proves my point for me, thanks for making it easy. EVERY SINGLE PLAYER but Hall regressed under him the first year, Halls regression didn't happen until this year.

I've been saying it since day one, but only a moron could say that it was happening since day one??? (frank) off

No more Cap Geek

I have no idea what your payroll is. Can you share?
- bloatedmosquito

Last time i looked we had about 4 mil in cap space

No more Cap Geek

I have no idea what your payroll is. Can you share?
- bloatedmosquito

If I'm recalling correctly, we had around 5 mill in cap space to start the season. Subtract Perron's 3.9 and add Klinkhammer's 1ish, and Roy's 2 (all value's are approximations based off memory) and we're still pretty much around the same.

How about JVR + Clarkson for Yaks?

Clarkson being the salary dump but might bring some veteran leadership... plus edm can afford a bad contract.

I think JVR for Yaks is close to being equal and TO might be willing to part with him just to get rid of that awful clarkson contract.
- bloatedmosquito

value wise not terrible. cap wise and the ~16M EDM would be spending at LW

Except they can't. Add in both Clarkson and JVR adds around 10 million to our already top heavy cap team. Include that we need to A.) resign Schultz (3-4 mill) B.) sign a significant upgrade in net (4.5-5.5 mill), and C.) acquire a legitimate upgrade or two on the backend, and you're suddenly well above the cap. And for what? Another relatively soft top-6 winger?
- MaximumBone

Is there no ability to shed money in other positions? What's does edm's FA list look like for 15-16? Does that clear any cap space?

I think JVR is a solid player. 6'-3" 211lb LW who had a 30-31-61 point season last year. This year he's got 44 points in 58 games. On the leafs!

You may not like the trade suggestion but you can't dislike JVR. Quality player.

stop being such a dramatic whiner.
- ChetManly