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Hockey Canada Nails Yakupov |
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If you were looking forward to Nail Yakupov playing hockey in the KHL this season, don't.
Wait, who ever says, "I'm looking forward to seeing _____________ player in the KHL"? Who seriously cares about the KHL? I heard...was it TSN...giving scores for KHL games and they were talking about what Ovechkin is doing. Who cares? Knock it off. As far as I'm concerned, all hockey leagues not named the NHL, AHL or CHL don't exist. Especially if their roster is loaded with locked-out NHL players who would rather avoid the labor situation than stay here and deal with it.
Anyway, Yakupov wanted to play in the KHL and Hockey Canada stopped him. Some sort of goofy technicality that he needed to inform them first or some junk. How stupid. Apparently he can play in the NHL or the CHL or nowhere else? I just think it's a ripoff for Yakupov, who is too good for Junior hockey. In case you wondered, Oilers management would rather see Yakupov playing in the KHL against men than playing in the OHL against kids. Actually, I think the place they'd really like him is the AHL with Nuge, Ebs, Schultz and everyone else, but since he has yet to play pro hockey, he can't be sent down.
Down With Hall
I read a tweet a few days ago from Joanne Ireland (Edmonton Journal, and apparently, she hates me for some reason, even though I've never spoken to her) saying Taylor Hall can't be sent down to the AHL. She also mentioned when Hall is ready, he'll play pro hockey for a different league if the lockout continues. Ryan Rishaug, who might hate me too (I don't know) said today on Twitter more or less the same thing: Hall, who is currently considered injured, missed the cut-off to be sent to the AHL, and therefore cannot be sent down. I think they are both right, yet both wrong.
I tend to think if Hall wants to be sent down (when he's healthy) and if the Oilers want him sent down, and if the NHL and NHLPA realize it really makes no difference where he plays, rules will be bent to allow him to go. You can quote me on this, because I'm right: If the lockout goes longer than Hall's injury, he'll find a way to be sent to the AHL and he'll play this season for the OKC Barons. Aside from the fact that it's in everyone's best interests to have him playing with other young Oilers, Hall is lost without Eberle, and the world is cruel if it keeps the pair apart for too long.
Boys to Men
I was reading speculation that the Oilers would let Ryan Nugent-Hopkins play for Team Canada's World Junior Team if the lockout continues into December? Why? Don't bank on it. Nuge is an NHL player now, and there's a point to having him play pro in OKC. The future of the Oilers is all on the Barons...just keep Nuge there to gain experience with Ebs, Paajarvi, Hartikainen, etc. It's better for him and the Oilers.
Battle of the Back-Ups
Should be an interesting battle in OKC between Olivier Roy and Tyler Bunz for the backup job. It's possible if both seem competent that the Oilers will find a way to rid themselves of Nikolai Khabibulin, and they'll send Yann Danis up to help the big squad. Roy and Bunz could be good enough to split AHL duties this season. This being said, neither of them could be ready too. They're kids...talented and full of potential...but with goalies, it takes a while to know what you've got.
Faster Pussycat, Kirill Kirill
Is Kirill Tulupov still with the OKC Barons? I hope so. The Oilers desperately need a 3rd line loose cannon defenseman who destroys people for fun. As much as Theo Peckham and Colten Teubert are perhaps better players, they aren't mean enough for my liking. I'd rather the Oilers play five D men in heavy rotation and have one complete psycho to put out there five minutes a game just to injure the opposition. The Oilers completely lack mean players and need a guy like Tulupov on the roster.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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