Nah - (frank) that. So - is he going to learn a lot more with 3 more months in the KHL this year?

He needs to develop in the NHL now - he'll be what he's going to be.

The entry level burn is always an interesting debate, it's about trade offs I suppose...
It hurts our cap sooner | Yakupov develops quicker
I get to watch Yakupov NOW | Russians get to do that
- Salvo

All good points. Regardless he will be fun to watch this year.

ha. Clouts the windsock of the Oilers...

I mean, if he sucked....he sucked. He get's paid like a big boy, he should be able to handle the criticism and be held accountable IMO. Due to his role on the team, expectations shouldn't be very high in the first place anyways.

See what happens when you talk out of your ass. There's a reason why journalists can't write whatever the (frank) they want.
- RichardHertz

This.

And that's the tough part, I guess...with respect to writing daily blogs on this stuff.
It's easy for posters to say "he sucks" but Clouts wouldn't have had to write this soft-retraction potter positivity if he simply crafted the initial commentary with a little more range.

This.

And that's the tough part, I guess...with respect to writing daily blogs on this stuff.
It's easy for posters to say "he sucks" but Clouts wouldn't have had to write this soft-retraction potter positivity if he simply crafted the initial commentary with a little more range.
- Salvo

exactly

Potter's a 6 spot guy at best. Even then, a pretty bad one at everything outside the pp. i help pay his salary, and have put up with years of mediocrity. Sorry if his feelings get hurt, but i care about the oilers doin well more than any 1 guys feelings.

I am not going to pretend to be a klefbom expert. I don;t know much about him except he is a good defensive prospect, but is it too much to assume he would be in the top 7 right away? This isn't going to be a rebuild team next year that can afford to play rookies just to get them experience. They are going to be a competetive team that needs to ice the best players. Most players coming form europe to NA as rookies need seasoning in the minors. another reason to keep potter next year maybe..
- ChrisMS

He was expected to join the top 6 next year, but a season ending shoulder injury is what'll slow his development. He probably could've cracked the oilers top 7 this year as he is a top prospect but decided to honor his contract in sweden.

Just scrolling through the last couple pages, just wanted to be clear on something. Are we really deabting Yakupovs skill level after playing one NHL game? Yeah? Okay fair enough.

He was expected to join the top 6 next year, but a season ending shoulder injury is what'll slow his development. He probably could've cracked the oilers top 7 this year as he is a top prospect but decided to honor his contract in sweden.
- TheNugeIsHuge

I think people are in for a rude awakening with Klefbom.

See what happens when you talk out of your ass. There's a reason why journalists can't write whatever the (frank) they want.
- RichardHertz

Journalists aren't afraid to hurt Corey Potter's feelings - ask Diana or Brittney how much the media cares about peoples' feelings... professional mainstream reporters are (mostly) gutless weasels working for gigantic media conglomerates with a vested interest in the undermining and destruction of society.

This.

And that's the tough part, I guess...with respect to writing daily blogs on this stuff.
It's easy for posters to say "he sucks" but Clouts wouldn't have had to write this soft-retraction potter positivity if he simply crafted the initial commentary with a little more range.
- Salvo

huh... I guess the problem is more with the wording than the sentiment? I mean, no trouble saying "he screwed up and partially screened Dubnyk"... then someone has something specific to address, rather than the generic "he sucked" we've been hearing since grade 1.

Potter's a 6 spot guy at best. Even then, a pretty bad one at everything outside the pp. i help pay his salary, and have put up with years of mediocrity. Sorry if his feelings get hurt, but i care about the oilers doin well more than any 1 guys feelings.
- hugefemale dog77

I understand, I think. "He sucks" is a fan's bought-and-paid-for privelege. However, coming from a professional writer, it shows sloppy thinking and it is much less helpful and appreciated than specific criticism would be.

Journalists aren't afraid to hurt Corey Potter's feelings - ask Diana or Brittney how much the media cares about peoples' feelings... professional mainstream reporters are (mostly) gutless weasels working for gigantic media conglomerates with a vested interest in the undermining and destruction of society.
- thefullnelson

Difference between actress/actors and pro sports.

I think people are in for a rude awakening with Klefbom.
- Lahey

I wouldn't start him in the NHL next year.

I wouldn't start him in the NHL next year.
- Jack-artist

he's going to have a lot of work. First is the ice surface and second will be dealing with stronger more physical North American game.

So Paajarvi comes in for the injured Eager tonight. Lines stay the same, but personally I would swap PRV with Harski, if the latter is only gonna play six minutes again. That third line could use some more speed if they're gonna be drawing the tough assignments.

he's going to have a lot of work. First is the ice surface and second will be dealing with stronger more physical North American game.
- Lahey

He hasn't developed much of an offensive game in the SEL, so he's better off working on that in the AHL too.

All good points. Regardless he will be fun to watch this year.
- Oilersforlife

And hey for what it's worth someone/ you could the mount the case further that he needs a little more time for confidence and development and it wouldn't be wrong to my mind.

Either path is sort of illusory - from the evidence we do have: his age, his pedigree, his past and most recently one NHL game, the Ruski is green.

It's pretty grey and we just go from there.

But ya man I'm stoked to watch him

So Paajarvi comes in for the injured Eager tonight. Lines stay the same, but personally I would swap PRV with Harski, if the latter is only gonna play six minutes again. That third line could use some more speed if they're gonna be drawing the tough assignments.
- Jack-artist

I agree. They keep saying they see PRV as a Jones going forward. Use him in that role.

Difference between actress/actors and pro sports.
- Lahey

Point.

he's going to have a lot of work. First is the ice surface and second will be dealing with stronger more physical North American game.
- Lahey

I'd get him in the AHL next season, and he wouldn't play a game until he had 100% of his shoulder back and could handle the kind of heavy lifting he'll need to do to bulk up to the point where he can dominate in a shut-down role. I see Klefbom as being minimum 2 years from the NHL but others are much more bullish on him, and honestly, I hope they're right and I'm wrong!

I'd get him in the AHL next season, and he wouldn't play a game until he had 100% of his shoulder back and could handle the kind of heavy lifting he'll need to do to bulk up to the point where he can dominate in a shut-down role. I see Klefbom as being minimum 2 years from the NHL but others are much more bullish on him, and honestly, I hope they're right and I'm wrong!
- thefullnelson

I don't see what the rush is at the moment. I rather keep Whitney for another year than rush yet a rookie.

Point.
- thefullnelson

I honestly don't know what this means.

What's your point?

Or point for you. Which then leads to another question.

I understand, I think. "He sucks" is a fan's bought-and-paid-for privelege. However, coming from a professional writer, it shows sloppy thinking and it is much less helpful and appreciated than specific criticism would be.
- thefullnelson

Yeah pretty much - and you can see, as the big fan Clouts is he kind of realized that....the fade from fan to blogger.

I didn't see the game but how did Yakupov do? Saw some Shultz highlights (sorta) and he'll be another good one (you lucky bastards)...