He is certainly a straight shooter he isnt into the other stuff like twitter followers and so on like a Dreger or Kipper.
- blizzzard

Hey now, I would still put Dreger a close #2 on the most connected in the business list.

The only problem I have with Dreger is that he sometimes is used to carry the Leafs water. He's also not a very good analyst of actual hockey, unlike Bob, but hey you can't have everything.

Hey now, I would still put Dreger a close #2 on the most connected in the business list.

The only problem I have with Dreger is that he sometimes is used to carry the Leafs water. He's also not a very good analyst of actual hockey, unlike Bob, but hey you can't have everything.
- S Kaspar Rollins

Dreger is a massive douchecanoe....

Hey now, I would still put Dreger a close #2 on the most connected in the business list.

The only problem I have with Dreger is that he sometimes is used to carry the Leafs water. He's also not a very good analyst of actual hockey, unlike Bob, but hey you can't have everything.
- S Kaspar Rollins

I stopped liking Dreger after that Hangover parody

Dreger is a massive douchecanoe....
- Iggysbff

I don't really care, he still breaks more stuff than 99% of other journalists.

I stopped liking Dreger after that Hangover parody
- blizzzard

I thought Duthie came off far more annoying in that video

Doesn't there stand to be reason behind all of that? If a player is playing/practicing well and not getting playing time that should raise eyebrows. It seems obvious that there is something amiss behind the scenes here.

Even the most tyranical of coaches would probably do whats in the best interests of the team first and foremost. Stands to be a pretty good reason why Yak is not getting the playing time he's demanding. It's most likely not anything skill related so there has to be some sort of coaching/organization and player conflict dictating his playing time or lack thereof.

I'm no genius, but that to me smells like problem player or malcontent.
- MnGump

I think it obvious. Yakapov isn't eating his vegetables.

Eakin and him aren't seeing eye to eye on this, and so he sits.

I thought Duthie came off far more annoying in that video
- S Kaspar Rollins

All together just bad I havent seen the Stamkos clip with Ebs yet though.

All together just bad I havent seen the Stamkos clip with Ebs yet though.
- blizzzard

That one's kind of funny because Bob McKenzie outacts him in about half a second of screentime

I don't really care, he still breaks more stuff than 99% of other journalists.
- S Kaspar Rollins

Throw enough poop at the wall....some is bound to stick...

Luke Schenn +1st & 2nd for Yaks?

Throw enough poop at the wall....some is bound to stick...
- Iggysbff

You say that like he's Garrioch or Eklund

typically, when Dreger reports something, there's a very good chance it's either true or close enough to the truth. The only time I can remember him being wrong is when he reported Regehr being traded to San Jose and he got dealt to Buffalo instead

Luke Schenn +1st & 2nd for Yaks?
- I-own_da-Northwest

i would laugh so hard

i would laugh so hard
- S Kaspar Rollins

Luke Schenn has the speed to make any 4th pairing in the nhl better

You say that like he's Garrioch or Eklund

typically, when Dreger reports something, there's a very good chance it's either true or close enough to the truth. The only time I can remember him being wrong is when he reported Regehr being traded to San Jose and he got dealt to Buffalo instead
- S Kaspar Rollins

He says poop every day that doesn't come true!

He says poop every day that doesn't come true!
- Iggysbff

name me a major case he was wrong

more importantly, name me more accurate journalists

Basically because he has a proven track record of breaking stuff - a lot of it well before other journos - I can allow him the excuse that Ek always uses about most rumors being just that. I mean there's no doubt a million trades are discussed every year that never come to fruition, but I never get the sense with Dreger that he makes it up or is just speculating, unlike most journalists

- carcus

when is this from?

Guys this clearly isnt about Dreger anymore. Its about the two teams you cheer for. Isnt it

If you are really looking for answers I would focus on the observation made here by someone that the Canadian boys on the team are freezing out Yak when it comes to setting him up with passes. If valid, what's a rookie coach going to do? Piss off the majority of boys on his team? There was also an observation of Hall screaming at Yak on the bench in front of the cameras. What's that all about? You guys are very knowledgeable fans based on what I have read here. It looks like there is a problem in the room, as they say, and you do know it, admit it and it is fine to speculate on how to fix it.

Can we start talking about this draft as a complete bust? All the top picks are looking like absolute failures.

Actually it`s not really a good comparison. Daigle hated hockey, his family took the passion for the game away from him. Yakupov on the other hand, seems totally love the game and craves scoring goals...he just lacks defensive responsibility. Ask anyone who knows Alexandre Daigle, he has so much skill but he just didn`t like hockey anymore and the business behind the game ruined it for him.

Can we start talking about this draft as a complete bust? All the top picks are looking like absolute failures.
- Pierre.McGuire

all but Hampus Lindholm

Take out the two old age home candidates (Khabby & Zeuss) then what is the average age of the Hawks ?
- Beaver-Warrior

Same can be said for Kimmo and Streit I suppose. The Philly core of Giroux, Schenn, the other Schenn, Read, Voracek, Mason, Couturier, simmond, etc are fairly young. They did get 32 year old Lecavalier, but hey they let Briere go, so that actually brought it down a tad.

They do like getting patchwork free agents past their prime, though. No doubt.




I wouldn't give up on Yak either at this point, but hey maybe the guy would benefit from a change of scenery in a lesser hockey town. Who knows? He certainly has gobs of talent. I don't think you dump him just yet unless someone blows you away with an offer. Especially if it contains a young defensive stud. Gormley+.

I mean he wasn't bad last year. He was fairly decent for a rookie! It's his sophomore slump. We're what, like 15 games in? It's not time to pull the ripcord just yet.

I'll give you money from my wallet if you can post a 'trade rumor" that doesn't include the Flyers.

whats with all the hype over yakupov? the guy had the most points out of all rookies if my memory serves me right (which it may not) .. and we are 15-20 games into his 2nd pro season, he is 19?20? years old, in a sophomore year, people tend to slump, and superstars will rise

i believe this guy is a superstar, you cant be kept off the scoreboard for much longer with a passion to score like he does, he will do anything to score a goal and it will eventually come

i havent been paying much attention to this yakupov stuff, why would edmonton trade him? he will be fantastic, and this will bite them in the ass later down the road when hall eberle RNH are all at their peaks while defensive prospects have blossomed in time, and yak could be there to add fuel to that dangerous fire...

whats with all the hype over yakupov? the guy had the most points out of all rookies if my memory serves me right (which it may not) .. and we are 15-20 games into his 2nd pro season, he is 19?20? years old, in a sophomore year, people tend to slump, and superstars will rise

i believe this guy is a superstar, you cant be kept off the scoreboard for much longer with a passion to score like he does, he will do anything to score a goal and it will eventually come

i havent been paying much attention to this yakupov stuff, why would edmonton trade him? he will be fantastic, and this will bite them in the ass later down the road when hall eberle RNH are all at their peaks while defensive prospects have blossomed in time, and yak could be there to add fuel to that dangerous fire...
- RileyB77

Edmonton is frustrated and desperate and need a change. They are looking to blame their troubles on one player but expect a big return if they trade him even though there has been friction between the player and management. Is Yaks a bit of a diva, sure, but who cares. They have to give up something to get something significant.

Then need a solid veteran than can lead and produce and be signed for say five years or so. It sounds like they may have to over pay, when they want another team to overpay for budding stars. They are not dealing from a position of strength when you look at the standings.