Value of: Nail Yakopov

[McMetal]

Yak is better than Andrighetto, same age. Better production with a lot less ice time and a better +/-.

It's not Yak. It's how he's being deployed. He didn't go from being 5th in Calder voting to a bad hockey player.

He's a 2nd line winger who should be a pp specialist with that shot

You know, I used to think the same thing at the beginning of last season, but then I saw him play up close. He has an amazing shot, but he doesn't have the IQ to get himself in a position to use it.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Yak is better than Andrighetto, same age. Better production with a lot less ice time and a better +/-.

It's not Yak. It's how he's being deployed. He didn't go from being 5th in Calder voting to a bad hockey player.

He's a 2nd line winger who should be a pp specialist with that shot

In reality, he's a 4th line winger who should have been a pp specialist with that shot, but instead lost his ice time to a bunch of rookies and Gabriel Bourque. It's almost like there's more to hockey than just scoring points. If you want ice time, earn it.

 

[93LEAFS]

He's waiver fodder at this point. He doesn't have NHL value. He's a guy who could seriously be sent to the AHL. That is likely why he will take a KHL deal.

Sucks to see how his has evolved. While I think his flaws would have hurt him at the NHL level regardless. The guy could have atleast been something like a smaller less physical Evander Kane who streaked down the wing and could fire a shot. He might drive you insane with an elite center, but at least able to drive a middle-6 line, just by sheer shot generation. But, he either is next level hockey dumb which messed with his ability to not go offside on zone-entries, or he seriously lost confidence at some point and never recovered or developed it. I wouldn't wish this development of a #1 pick on teams I hate. I can't imagine the disappointment around it.

 

[BatVader]

Lol
Trade him to Montreal straight up for Gallagher.
Bergevin will do it, 1 for 1

 

[simon IC]

Blues fan weighing in; when he was here he was the most infuriating player to watch. He literally had me screaming at my monitor. I remember seeing Blues players screaming at him too. I wish him well, but I doubt he has a career in the NHL. He simply doesn't know how to read a play, and seemingly can't be taught. I see him going to Europe.

 

[Ducks in a row]

If I was a GM I wouldn't sigh him because he isn't a top 6 quality forward and he is lacking in hockey IQ. He isn't a good bottom 6 type forward either.

 

[CaptainCrunch67]

He has a nice skill set, but a 10 cent brain on the ice. He's probably off to the KHL.

 

[Bryguy19]

Maybe he could rekindle his ohl chemistry with chucky in Arizona. Probably get him dirt cheap, 2 way deal.

 

[WJCJ]

I would take him I need Boston if KOKO makes the team out of camp and throw him on the third line.

Is Koko coming to camp? I thought he was gone for good. I don't think the Bruins would have any interest in Yakupov at the NHL level, maybe if he would take an two way deal and try to make a case for himself in the AHL I could see it, but who on the 3rd line is he going to replace? Backes? Heinen? Donato is probably going to get a shot somewhere, what are they supposed to do with him? Bjork? JFK? I would take every single one of them over Yakupov. I would even take Khokhlachev over Yakupov and I have said that since they played together in an international tournament and Koko was the better player.

You can see that I don't agree with signing Yakupov, maybe I am wrong, I have been before and I will be again but I don't see it here, I think Yak is a bust and the only place that I think the Bruins have room for him is in Providence.

 

[oilers4life5]

I would like to see Arizona get him and reunite him with Gally.

 

[Revelation]

I'd take him on the caps, he could easily be Brett Connolly 2.0.

 

[Meeqs]

I'd be very happy to see him get a chance as he is a great human being, although at this point I would assume he is KHL bound. He has one of the best shots in the league, has the work ethic and can skate and everything else is at a sub NHL level

 

[voxel]

I'd be very happy to see him get a chance as he is a great human being, although at this point I would assume he is KHL bound. He has one of the best shots in the league, has the work ethic and can skate and everything else is at a sub NHL level

Yak can’t hit the net with his shot. Love the guy, but he brings nothing but raw unharnessed energy. He might be okay as a forechecker but his defensive awareness is so bad I wouldn’t trust him on the ice to protect a lead.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

KHL bound

 

[steveat]

Barzal could turn him into a 70 point player...we'd need to add a third defenceman on the shift though.

 

[steveat]

Maybe he could rekindle his ohl chemistry with chucky in Arizona. Probably get him dirt cheap, 2 way deal.

You know what, that actually might be a good idea. Maybe Galch can help him.

 

[McShogun99]

I wouldn't mind giving Yakupov a try-out and adding him to the revolving door of young RWs we'll likely try with Hall and Hischier.

Those two would absolutely "do the thinking" for him.

I always thought that Yakupov and Hall looked good together but it was never tried for any stretch of time in Edmonton. Yakupov was the first of Edmonton's high draft picks that had to work his way up from the bottom six and earn his PP time, while the ones before him were gifted top minutes. Puljujarvi is getting the similar treatment. Much of his failures is probably from how he was developed during his time in Edmonton. In Jr he was a one dimensional sniper, that's what made him go 1st OA. Edmonton tried to change his game into more of a complete player which is something he will never be.