Aivis Kalnins: Yakupov wants to remain in the NHL and has teams expressing interest

I've never understood how a guy with that much potential, and that showed he had big league skills in his first season could become next to nothing as a player. What is it about his game that dropped off so bad? Is he a floater? Is his speed not very good? What's the deal with this guy?

I honestly don't think the Avs used him well, we was delegated to the 4th line playing 8 minutes a night and was often a healthy scratch. He is talented, but for some reason found himself in Bednar's doghouse.

Puzzling. He works hard, positive attitude, team mates love him but always in coaches dog house. He seems to have a much shorter leash than anyone else. Still think Avs should bring him back but oh well...

I honestly don't think the Avs used him well, we was delegated to the 4th line playing 8 minutes a night and was often a healthy scratch. He is talented, but for some reason found himself in Bednar's doghouse.
- Avsrchamps01

Interesting. I guess he's a guy that needs to play on a second line where he can rack up some minutes and get going offensively. I'm wondering if his lack of defensive awareness is the biggest reason for him not getting many minutes. Likely going to be one of those guys that is never good enough offensively for top 6 and not defensive enough for top bottom and will fade out to the KHL where he'll score a bunch.

I do wonder if Phoenix takes a chance on him to reunite him with Galchenyuk. Both were terrific together in juniors and it always bothered me that the Habs didn't at least take a chance on it.

Rail and Nail Yakupov?

Maybe hes just stupid.

Possibly a good reclamation project for GMBM of the Caps? He's done well with Connolly and DSP, besides having at least 3 countrymen on the roster.

Maybe hes just stupid.
- zipfel

I didn't think there was anyone else you had to compete with

I didn't think there was anyone else you had to compete with
- ifiwasgm

nice one! come up with that all by yourself?

nice one! come up with that all by yourself?
- zipfel

Well I just noticed you were a Flames fan

I could see him being a good fit for a bounce back year with teams like Washington, Ottawa, Oilers or Philly

Washington just came off the cup and will be looking for some forward depth that's a bit cheaper

Ottawa needs to replace Mike Hoffman and Yak is not that but would be an interesting start

Oilers I fully believe if any player needs a boost in their career, Mcdavid is the one to do it. Plus it would be a nice homecoming

Philly still has yet to replace what they lost in Brayden Schenn

Philly still has yet to replace what they lost in Brayden Schenn

Philly scored 37 more goals than the previous season with Schenn. They replaced him fine.

Well I just noticed you were a Flames fan
- ifiwasgm

Maybe Yak Attack needs to talk to a sports psychologist because he seems to have all the physical tools just his mind is limiting him, maybe he lacks confidence? Or maybe he hasn't recovered from the trauma of playing for the Oilers yet.

Philly scored 37 more goals than the previous season with Schenn. They replaced him fine.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes because other players stepped it up, but how sustainable do you think that would be? Schenn brought a lot more than just goals. Look how well he did last year

Sens should sign him. He had good chemistry with Duchene first ten games. I believe had they spent the full season together in Colorado it woulda been Year of the Yak. The goal he scored with .1 second left off the faceoff blew my mind.

Yak and Galy reunited in AZ!

If he's willing to play for the league minimum plus a bit of a bonus structure, I would take a chance on this player. I would bring him back on the Oilers and give him another chance...there is too much raw talent there and hopefully he can learn to play his position properly.

Yakupov is a player that coachs need to let do his thing.

Watched Yak in his couple years in the pre-McDavid Edmonton and he did show potential. He would be the hardest working and best Oiler on the ice for two periods then he would make a stupid mistake. Of course Murphys Law the puck would be in the Oilers net and he was Nail-ed (pun) to the bench for the rest of the game. Would he can sign somewhere and show his #1 pick potential.

Watched Yak in his couple years in the pre-McDavid Edmonton and he did show potential. He would be the hardest working and best Oiler on the ice for two periods then he would make a stupid mistake. Of course Murphys Law the puck would be in the Oilers net and he was Nail-ed (pun) to the bench for the rest of the game. Would he can sign somewhere and show his #1 pick potential.
- polcat27

Bang on.

Nail and Rail?

I've never understood how a guy with that much potential, and that showed he had big league skills in his first season could become next to nothing as a player. What is it about his game that dropped off so bad? Is he a floater? Is his speed not very good? What's the deal with this guy?
- Routs

He's kind of an idiot hockey IQ wise.

He always looks like he is moving, but really is going no where important.

I think firing Larionov could do wonders for him. Igor kept feeding him bs and never gave him negative feedback.

Watched Yak in his couple years in the pre-McDavid Edmonton and he did show potential. He would be the hardest working and best Oiler on the ice for two periods then he would make a stupid mistake. Of course Murphys Law the puck would be in the Oilers net and he was Nail-ed (pun) to the bench for the rest of the game. Would he can sign somewhere and show his #1 pick potential.
- polcat27

He'd actually make multiple mistakes, but would make one glaring one that resulted in a goal.

The other problem is it would be similar mistakes and wouldn't learn from them either.

He needs what Gagner had in CBJ. PP specialist. Set him up to the left of the goalie like Stamkos and Ovi are on the other side.

Yes because other players stepped it up, but how sustainable do you think that would be? Schenn brought a lot more than just goals. Look how well he did last year
- Maverick1818

Very sustainable. No one came out of nowhere and helped score goals. Flyers scored goals because they have a young talented team and to have Giroux healthy again and on the wing helped as well