Funny you should mention Semin, I remember there was an article by Yost a couple years back when Semin was still with Washington. The coach was mad that Semin kept trying zone entries by skating it in instead of dumping and chasing.

Given a legitimate statistical analysis it came out that Semin was more successful than any other player on Washington for zone entries. Not only did Semin keep possession more by skating in than by dumping in, but the players who dumped it in were actually worse at keeping the puck in on a conservative dump and chase play.

Yakupov definitely needs to adjust to the North American game if he wants to succeed, and he's demonstrated in bursts the ability to do that. I wouldn't be so quick to say that he needs to change his style of play completely, and I don't think Eakins thinks that either.
- Morris

Good points. I was comparing him based on lack of defensive commitment more than anything else. That, and clearly you have a strong need for the backend and PK improvement. To me you have an overabundance of Forward talent and then why not use an over asset to correct a deficit.

Good points. I was comparing him based on lack of defensive commitment more than anything else. That, and clearly you have a strong need for the backend and PK improvement. To me you have an overabundance of Forward talent and then why not use an over asset to correct a deficit.
- powerhouse

Given where Yakupov is at right now our most tradeable forward asset is Eberle (in terms of strong value coming back), but I don't think that's going to happen.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see major changes in the next 6-12 months.

Given where Yakupov is at right now our most tradeable forward asset is Eberle (in terms of strong value coming back), but I don't think that's going to happen.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see major changes in the next 6-12 months.
- Morris

I wish you well. You, your fans and your team have suffered long enough. Good luck.

For the second game in a row, Nail Yakupov was left in the press box to watch at least four or five guys that no one has ever heard of suit up for the Oilers.

Does this seem ludicrous to anyone else?

I know the kid has his share of flaws in his game, but I am a firm believer that the only way for a young player to work those flaws out is to play.

And while Yakupov has been saying a lot of the right type of things, I do believe the Oilers will have a Nikita Filatov-type of situation on their hands soon.

Young, talented players, who know they are pretty damn good and who have a good chance at playing in an Olympic Games in their home country don’t just sit around and watch games. If the Oilers don’t find a better use for Yakupov, you better believe there will be a trade demand followed by a jump to the KHL if this situation isn’t fixed soon.

So with that in mind, why not trade him before this thing blows up and Yakupov isn’t worth what he is now – and believe me it’s going to in about three weeks or less.



To Edmonton- Lack, Jensen, Higgins and a 1st rd pick

For

To Vancouver- Yakupov



Rational

Now if the Oilers would prefer, Booth or Kassian could be substituted for Higgins and/or Gaunce for Jensen that is also an option.

Yakupov would slot in nicely and help the Canucks with the offence they need. He also helps add a young player to the team and gives Vancouver another game breaker.

For the Oilers, it’s gotten to the point where people are taking out ads on Kijiji find a goalie. Eddie Lack helps them with that problem and gives them a goalie to build their young team around. Higgins is the prototypical Dallas Eakins type of player – by that I mean he will play more than Yakupov because of his defence. Lastly, Jensen, while not in Yakupov’s league, replaces the young winger in the system. He also adds some size down the road to the Oilers top-nine.



So what do you think?

Oilers fans?

Canucks fans?

Do we have a deal?



That’s a wrap



Ian

For the second game in a row, Nail Yakupov was left in the press box to watch at least four or five guys that no one has ever heard of suit up for the Oilers.

Does this seem ludicrous to anyone else?

I know the kid has his share of flaws in his game, but I am a firm believer that the only way for a young player to work those flaws out is to play.

And while Yakupov has been saying a lot of the right type of things, I do believe the Oilers will have a Nikita Filatov-type of situation on their hands soon.

Young, talented players, who know they are pretty damn good and who have a good chance at playing in an Olympic Games in their home country don’t just sit around and watch games. If the Oilers don’t find a better use for Yakupov, you better believe there will be a trade demand followed by a jump to the KHL if this situation isn’t fixed soon.

So with that in mind, why not trade him before this thing blows up and Yakupov isn’t worth what he is now – and believe me it’s going to in about three weeks or less.



To Edmonton- Lack, Jensen, Higgins and a 1st rd pick

For

To Vancouver- Yakupov



Rational

Now if the Oilers would prefer, Booth or Kassian could be substituted for Higgins and/or Gaunce for Jensen that is also an option.

Yakupov would slot in nicely and help the Canucks with the offence they need. He also helps add a young player to the team and gives Vancouver another game breaker.

For the Oilers, it’s gotten to the point where people are taking out ads on Kijiji find a goalie. Eddie Lack helps them with that problem and gives them a goalie to build their young team around. Higgins is the prototypical Dallas Eakins type of player – by that I mean he will play more than Yakupov because of his defence. Lastly, Jensen, while not in Yakupov’s league, replaces the young winger in the system. He also adds some size down the road to the Oilers top-nine.



So what do you think?

Oilers fans?

Canucks fans?

Do we have a deal?



That’s a wrap



Ian
- AdamFrench

You don't trade talent like Lack for a bunch of question marks.

For the second game in a row, Nail Yakupov was left in the press box to watch at least four or five guys that no one has ever heard of suit up for the Oilers.

Does this seem ludicrous to anyone else?

I know the kid has his share of flaws in his game, but I am a firm believer that the only way for a young player to work those flaws out is to play.

And while Yakupov has been saying a lot of the right type of things, I do believe the Oilers will have a Nikita Filatov-type of situation on their hands soon.

Young, talented players, who know they are pretty damn good and who have a good chance at playing in an Olympic Games in their home country don’t just sit around and watch games. If the Oilers don’t find a better use for Yakupov, you better believe there will be a trade demand followed by a jump to the KHL if this situation isn’t fixed soon.

So with that in mind, why not trade him before this thing blows up and Yakupov isn’t worth what he is now – and believe me it’s going to in about three weeks or less.



To Edmonton- Lack, Jensen, Higgins and a 1st rd pick

For

To Vancouver- Yakupov



Rational

Now if the Oilers would prefer, Booth or Kassian could be substituted for Higgins and/or Gaunce for Jensen that is also an option.

Yakupov would slot in nicely and help the Canucks with the offence they need. He also helps add a young player to the team and gives Vancouver another game breaker.

For the Oilers, it’s gotten to the point where people are taking out ads on Kijiji find a goalie. Eddie Lack helps them with that problem and gives them a goalie to build their young team around. Higgins is the prototypical Dallas Eakins type of player – by that I mean he will play more than Yakupov because of his defence. Lastly, Jensen, while not in Yakupov’s league, replaces the young winger in the system. He also adds some size down the road to the Oilers top-nine.



So what do you think?

Oilers fans?

Canucks fans?

Do we have a deal?



That’s a wrap



Ian
- AdamFrench

Maybe if Vancouver played in the Eastern Conference and we never played them.

Elliot had one good year, and a bunch of sh1t years. How people believe he's an upgrade from Dubnyk is beyond me. And yes, I know Dubnyk sucks so far his year...
- laughs2907

Actually any player wearing oiler silks and playing net absolutely suck--- I hope we pick up Biron...

Not personal, I'm addressing your rhetorical style.

I used Bowman and Yzerman as an example. Am I arguing that because Bowman and Stevie had similar friction as Eakins and Yak, that means Yakupov will become Stevie Y? Of course not. Just saying, a guy who's lauded for being one of the better two-way centres of that era, widely considered a complete player and a great leader, who won a Selke in 2000, had friction with Bowman when he was charged with becoming a 200 ft. player. Leopards can change their spots.
- Morris

Actually, no. They can't.

Actually, no. They can't.
- bixll

Are we talking about actual Leopards now?

Not personal, I'm addressing your rhetorical style.

I used Bowman and Yzerman as an example. Am I arguing that because Bowman and Stevie had similar friction as Eakins and Yak, that means Yakupov will become Stevie Y? Of course not. Just saying, a guy who's lauded for being one of the better two-way centres of that era, widely considered a complete player and a great leader, who won a Selke in 2000, had friction with Bowman when he was charged with becoming a 200 ft. player. Leopards can change their spots.
- Morris

Bixll hates Yakupov.

Bixll hates Yakupov.
- robin_steele264

Yep, me and Dallas. Hates is not accurate. Dislikes his style of play totally. Thinks he is way over rated. Figured this benching / spectating would have come last year, but that coach did not have the balls to do it.

Actually any player wearing oiler silks and playing net absolutely suck--- I hope we pick up Biron...
- saskoil21

Me too... If our goal is to get another 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Reporter: "LaBarbara in net tonight... Opinions on how he played, and how the goaltending situation is shaping up."

Eakins: "Yeah, I thought he played well."
- laughs2907

I thought Eakins was more black and white... (frank) he is starting to sound similar to Kruger- just with a few less loses... LMFAO... Before long we will be used to the same post game frame- we learned from this game- or the "I see a lot of positives''' those lines are a coming people...

Me too... If our goal is to get another 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft.
- laughs2907

We average 5 goals allowed per game with our current tenders and you think we will avoid the lotto??? - your a crazier newfie than I thought...

Yep, me and Dallas. Hates is not accurate. Dislikes his style of play totally. Thinks he is way over rated. Figured this benching / spectating would have come last year, but that coach did not have the balls to do it.
- bixll

The ironic part is you admitted to me that you never watch him play.

Are there any (real) rumblings about Eakins losing his job? Would you guys want MacTavish) as a coach/GM?

The ironic part is you admitted to me that you never watch him play.
- robin_steele264

No, I said I have not watched him play enough. But my assessment was correct. He has a lot of work to do.

I wont be surprised if Hall gets traded- and behind the scenes it leaks out later that he demanded a trade cause he was sick and tired of playing for poop teams and new coaches every season... further- if I were Yak I would want out too...

I've seen a lot of Toronto fans hating on Yakupov during all the drama. To a certain extent, when Eakins criticizes his players, leafs fans seem to take it as a through-line which justifies their distaste for the oilers. They feel vindicated because Eakins used to coach in the Leafs system and now he's trying to break Oilers habits.

Are there any (real) rumblings about Eakins losing his job? Would you guys want MacTavish) as a coach/GM?
- geta02it

Eakins won't be loosing him job anytime soon. A big shake up will happen before Eakins looses his job.

You don't trade talent like Lack for a bunch of question marks.
- Lahey

You mean yak?

You mean yak?
- deks1

Yak has elite talent, those guys have nothing near that.

We average 5 goals allowed per game with our current tenders and you think we will avoid the lotto??? - your a crazier newfie than I thought...
- saskoil21

Are you familiar with who Biron actually is? Have you seen his numbers over the last x years? Have you seen his numbers this year? 7.65GAA .763SV%

Yeah, I'm the crazy one

Are there any (real) rumblings about Eakins losing his job? Would you guys want MacTavish) as a coach/GM?
- geta02it

Not that I heard of.

Actually any player wearing oiler silks and playing net absolutely suck--- I hope we pick up Biron...
- saskoil21

(frank) you guys are making me laugh today.