remember this post. come back in a month or two.He's exactly the type of player that can succeed on a weaker team, playing in offensive situations, with skilled players and not getting benched for mistakes. He's got enough talent to produce. We saw this at the start with the Oilers, and now are seeing it with the Avs. He thrives on confidence just like any other offensive player and if he's not being put in situations to gain confidence, he's useless. Also as the added benefit of being on a team that sometimes gets overlooked, he can burn you for sloppy plays.
However he's also the type of player who is going to hurt your team in bigger games against good teams. I just can't imagine Yakupov playing a top 6 role for a team that wins couple of rounds in the playoffs. There's a reason coaches have put him in the dog house.
I think i mentioned in the summer that Yakupov can work out in Colorado, so his start isn't surprising to say the least.
Sure he can. He is 24 years old. You might think he is old to be a star. But look to Sedins.
They had under-performing till 26.
Wouldn't call what the Sedins did under-performing. They were both top 6ers by 23. Hitting elite status by 26 maybe. They far from under-performing until 26. Very far from it actually.
It would be a great story for a guy who was essentially cast away from St. Louis, not even being tendered a qualifying offer to become a UFA, to being a good player.
Now, let's not say "star" yet. One of his three goals happened when Tuuka Rask decided to play forward rather than goalie and another was an empty net goal "awarded" that didn't even cross the goalline.
That was a decent one timer goal that he had last night, but for me he still looks very rough around the edges.
agreed but he was also robbed of a goal on a 15 second toronto review. the important thing is he is doing things right and generating chances.