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Would You Trade Nail Yakupov? |
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As I write this, the NHL and NHLPA are in New York, attempting to hammer out a new CBA before the new year. Apparently, it could happen...rumors coming from meeting suggest the NHLPA is okay with most elements of the NHL's most recent offer, and only want to make minor tweaks to the deal. Stay tuned for updates on that situation.
Happy New Year, btw...Let's hope 2013 is a better year for the NHL than 2012 was. Most boring playoffs in history + lockout = Bad. Starting 2013 by announcing a 50 game season will start on January 11th would make many people, including me, feel optimistic.
Without the NHL around to distract me, I've been watching plenty of World Junior Hockey Championships games. The Oilers have five prospects in the tournament. We knew Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was going to be brilliant, and even then, he's exceeded all expectations I had for him. We knew David Musil was going to be a big, solid, dull to watch defensive defenseman (very Ladislav Smid-like). We knew Daniil Zharkov wasn't going to be much of a factor; he's roster filler. The only disappointment has been the play of Nail Yakupov...but even then, I'm cautious to say he's been bad. He was the best Russian forward in the game against Canada. It looks to me, more than anything else, like Yakupov is the type of player who needs to play with other talented guys. Somewhat Marian Hossa in that way? Hossa might be the best supplemental player in hockey, and in saying that, I'm not being negative. Some guys are great regardless who you play them with, and others need to play with talented guys in order to succeed.
The biggest positive for the Oilers has been the play of Team Germany's Tobias Rieder. Rieder came into this tournament recovering from a broken foot, let's start there. Team Germany is not exactly packed with world-class talent. They are at the bottom of the standings for a reason. But watching Rieder play...If this kid was on Team Canada, he'd have half a dozen goals already. He's got hands and speed to burn. An NHL career will happen for him.
Rieder plays junior hockey in Canada for the Kitchener Rangers. While his stats this season are somewhat mild (23pts in 27games, but keep in mind he had a broken foot), Rieder was the chap last season who had 13g and 27pts in only 16 playoff games. He's a dynamite right winger who can put up big offensive numbers.
Right winger. Ummm, Nail Yakupov is a right winger, as is Ales Hemsky and Jordan Eberle. How many smaller, speedster/sniper right wingers can you fit into a team's Top 6?
I'm starting to think the Oilers would benefit in moving Yakupov before the season begins. Why? Because, as I said, the one thing the team has plenty of is speedster/snipers on the right side. Yakupov could immediately bring you a star center with size or a top pairing defenseman.
I'll throw a name out there, even though this has been beaten to death: PK Subban. Subban has yet to re-sign with Montreal (although it hasn't been possible during the lockout), and Galchenyuk + Yakupov = Fun. This being said, I'm not sure the Oilers need defensemen. Think long-term. When Oscar Klefbom is playing next season, the Oilers will have the two Schultz's, Petry, Smid and Klefbom...a very solid Top 5. Eventually, all five will be pricey. You can only spend so much on D men.
The biggest hole on the Oilers roster is at center. More specifically, the team needs an absolutely beast of a 2nd line center. Someone who can score, hit, lead, and be scary. Which brings me to a name I've also mentioned in the past: Ryan Getzlaf. If you could get Getz signed to a seven-year contract extension at $6mil per, Yakupov + Gagner is a great deal for both teams. It might sound to some like an overpayment considering the stats Getzlaf had last season, but seriously... There's very few, if any, other centers currently in the NHL like Ryan Getzlaf. The concept of having him on the Oilers makes me tinkle. A Top 6 this season of Hall, Hartikainen, Getzlaf, Nugent-Hopkins, Hemsky and Eberle? Lights out.
I should add that Anaheim would never get a better offer than this. Getzlaf might want out, as the Ducks are at the beginning of a rebuild. The Oilers would present to him a quicker opportunity to win. If he didn't re-sign with Anaheim over the summer, chances are, he doesn't want to re-sign with them at all. So from the Ducks persepctive, acquiring Yakupov + Gagner would be a huge win.
Do you think Rieder might be good enough to replace Ales Hemsky eventually? If so, do you think that makes Yakupov a movable asset? And if he is, would you use him to acquire a big center or a defenseman?
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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