But he is learning. And he's not expensive. And he's well liked in the city. Everyone has a story of Yak reaching out to fans to do nice things.

Chia already said he may go but hes not giving him away. He said he wants a fair trade. And glad not giving him away as some want. Willis did a good write up.

http://edmontonjournal.co...er-off-without-each-other
- Iggysbff

That was a solid article.
While I wouldn't give Yak away for nothing, one has to wonder if his stock will rise again or continue to plummet. If its the latter then the longer Chia holds out the worse the return is likely to be.
Is it worth the risk?

That was a solid article.
While I wouldn't give Yak away for nothing, one has to wonder if his stock will rise again or continue to plummet. If its the latter then the longer Chia holds out the worse the return is likely to be.
Is it worth the risk?
- Wildschwein

I don't think so. If we can get either and effective NHL player or some picks (see Brett Connolly's return of 2 2nds) that we can then flip for useful NHL players then I think we need to take that route.

I don't think so. If we can get either and effective NHL player or some picks (see Brett Connolly's return of 2 2nds) that we can then flip for useful NHL players then I think we need to take that route.
- MaximumBone

Depends to me. Hes cheaper and a better option than most of our 4th liners.

Our other bottom 6 players are overpaid possession black holes. Worse than yak.

That was a solid article.
While I wouldn't give Yak away for nothing, one has to wonder if his stock will rise again or continue to plummet. If its the latter then the longer Chia holds out the worse the return is likely to be.
Is it worth the risk?
- Wildschwein

I don't think his value can get that much lower. At this point I would say the Oil would definitely be selling low on Yak. But truthfully you never know on these things. That's just my hunch. I watched some games last season where Yak was the best player on the ice and I have to think that if he is used in favorable situations his stock will rise.

While most of the onus is on Yak for not performing up to expectations I do put some blame on the coaching staff over the years (Eakins) for not using Yak to his strengths causing his stock to further plummet.

I think a competent coach could build his stock up higher than it currently sits.

I don't think so. If we can get either and effective NHL player or some picks (see Brett Connolly's return of 2 2nds) that we can then flip for useful NHL players then I think we need to take that route.
- MaximumBone

If the return right now is 2 2nds how much lower is it going to get? In 3 years he might be worth a 3rd? I'd take the risk of (2 2nds - 1 3rd) that his stock rises at some point over those 3 years and even if it doesn't he can fill a useful role somewhere in the lineup without being over-priced during that time.

I'd keep Yak before I'd take on a player like Griffin Reinhart and 2nd for him. Two assets that scream free waiver wire acquisition whereas I don't see Yak losing his job in the NHL and being subject to waivers.

I want yakudump traded to the Yotes. Those tanner blogs about him will be epic

It's gonna be Hall or Nuge moving for a big time D. Take that to the bank. Also good chance Stamkos signs here. Buddies with McD. Don't say I didn't tell you when it happens.

It's gonna be Hall or Nuge moving for a big time D. Take that to the bank. Also good chance Stamkos signs here. Buddies with McD. Don't say I didn't tell you when it happens.
- EdmontonLawyer

delete your account

It's gonna be Hall or Nuge moving for a big time D. Take that to the bank. Also good chance Stamkos signs here. Buddies with McD. Don't say I didn't tell you when it happens.
- EdmontonLawyer

Holy (frank) you're alive! Welcome back.

For the sake of argument, why is Nuge worth more than Eberle? Is it because he is a center or his two way play? It certainly can't be because of his offensive production.
- Wildschwein

Yeah, he's a C and has more dimensions...

That was in response to Jero saying Nuge doesn't leave much of a hole.

I'd like to see

Hall - Nuge - Drais
Pou - McD - Yak

Use Ebs and 4th OA as trade bait.
- RonPielep

It's not as massive a chasm as your butthole after an afternoon at the Georgia Bathhouse, but yes, it is significant.

Yeah, he's a C and has more dimensions...
- Jeropotato

How many times have you risen from the dead now? What's your secret?
Divine parentage?
Banging Melisandre?

Depends to me. Hes cheaper and a better option than most of our 4th liners.

Our other bottom 6 players are overpaid possession black holes. Worse than yak.
- Iggysbff

So you're gonna play him in the bottom-6? Thus invalidating his use?

How many times have you risen from the dead now? What's your secret?
Divine parentage?
Banging Melisandre?
- Wildschwein

His lack of a gag reflex comes in handy from time to time.

It's not as massive a chasm as your butthole after an afternoon at the Georgia Bathhouse, but yes, it is significant.
- Jeropotato

His lack of a gag reflex comes in handy from time to time.
- NEONDOUBLEDION

I suppose there are worse skills to have.

It's not as massive a chasm as your butthole after an afternoon at the Georgia Bathhouse, but yes, it is significant.
- Jeropotato

Now is this Georgia as in the country or Georgia in the states?

Asking for a friend.

Canada getting schooled by Finland.

Now is this Georgia as in the country or Georgia in the states?

Asking for a friend.
- smellmyfinger

Yeah I had no clue what he was talking about either.

I'm not an insider when it comes to Jero's suspiciously detailed sodomy jokes...

So you're gonna play him in the bottom-6? Thus invalidating his use?
- MaximumBone

If he's not getting a decent return then yes I'd keep him. Put him on line 3 and give him some pp time. Move him up when there's injuries.

Because Oiler management will probably be willing to pay him more than he's worth for longer than he's worth having.
- Wildschwein

And the possibility of playing on a line with McDavid. Huge stats increasing his value for his next, and likely last contract.

If he's not getting a decent return then yes I'd keep him. Put him on line 3 and give him some pp time. Move him up when there's injuries.
- Iggysbff

Damn right. We can't give him away for (frank) all. And if he doesn't like it, he can go back to Russia.

Yeah I had no clue what he was talking about either.

I'm not an insider when it comes to Jero's suspiciously detailed sodomy jokes...
- RonPielep

He knows quite a few holocaust jokes

If we keep the fourth...

Matthew Tkachuk or Pierre-Luc Dubois?

IMO, it depends on who we trade in the offseason.

Edit: Who we draft #4th (If we draft) might ultimately be a foreshadow as to who Chia will trade...

If he's not getting a decent return then yes I'd keep him. Put him on line 3 and give him some pp time. Move him up when there's injuries.
- Iggysbff

I'd wonder if Chia can try to acquire Marcus Johansson in a deal that involves Yakupov. I'd be fine with that. A line involving Ovi-Backstrom-Yak would be very interesting to see as well, especially with Backstrom as the playmaker and Ovi+Yak as the snipers.

Anywho.

McDavid
RNH
LD (Will probably play wing)
Johansson
Maybe Pierre-Luc if we draft him.... (Might mean RNH will be traded and centre depth will go McDavid-LD-Johansson until Pierre-Luc is completely ready)

Nonetheless, that would be probably the best center depth in the entire NHL.