Few things get my back up like an unwarranted character assassination of a player by someone who doesn’t watch the guy in question, so it’s needless to say (but I will anyway) that I was absolutely blown away by the vitriol that Darren Dreger spewed Nail Yakupov’s way in the first intermission of yesterday’s game. In the event that you didn’t catch it, here it is.
I would say it’s unlikely that he’s an Edmonton Oiler next season. So it makes sense that they’ll try and move him. They were trying to move him at various points this season. Word is out that Nail Yakupov is available. The problem is, no one really wants him. Certainly not for the value that the Edmonton Oilers are going to need to get back in return. And you can see why. He had opportunities in this game early on. He scored one goal in his last 11 games. He was on the ice late in the game when the Blues scored to tie the hockey game. He’s an NHL worst -30. He lacks commitment. He thinks that skill is enough to be an NHL player. And the unfortunate reality for Nail Yakupov is that, yes, he’s a skilled player, but not an elite level skill player. And until he finds a way to absorb the message, the market on Nail Yakupov isn’t going to be great. They might have to package him with a collection of assets to get something better in return.
There are some interesting tidbits mixed in with completely bogus information in here, and ultimately I wonder what kind of agenda Dreger has in making these wholly unsolicited comments.
1) Is the word out that Yakupov is available? Maybe it is. It isnt completely unreasonable to think the Oilers may need to move a young forward to fix their problem on Defense. Yak is having a difficult year with his new coach (much like the rest of the team) and has been inconsistent offensively. If the Oilers hadnt drafted 2 other 1st Overall picks right before him then there would be no reason to think he’s available, but…
2) No one really wants him? Really? Nobody? Everyone sees a 1st Overall pick just 1 year removed from winning the Rookie scoring race, who was a dynamo in Junior, and thinks he isnt worth their time? This is the beginning of Dreger’s strange diatribe. I’m sorry, but a statement like that is the kind of thing that gets laughed at on HF Boards.
3) NHL Worst +/-. Yeah, great argument, Dregs. Nail Yakupov is a terrible hockey player because of an antiquated understanding of defensive contributions, that nobody worth their salt thinks means anything. Plus/Minus is a TERRIBLE stat that only counts events that occur 5-6 times a game. Last night Yak was a minus 4, but if you watch the plays he has nothing to do with the defensive breakdowns. In fact, according to former player and current analyst Aaron Ward it was RNH to blame on at least 2 of the goals against. Foil that with Dreger ripping on Yak for being on the ice for a goal against and you can see that “Being on the ice… for a goal against shouldn’t be a mortal sin.
While we’re at it let’s look at Yak’s on-ice save percentage. That’s the save percentage the goalie posts while Yak is out there doing his thing (if you werent sure). Yak has the WORST on-ice save percentage of any Oiler forward at .878%. That means, for whatever reason, when Yak is on the ice we’re getting sub-AHL goaltending in 5v5 situations. Want to guess why his +/- is so low? He cant buy a break.
But his on-ice save percentage is so bad because he’s rubbish defensively, right? Nope. Not unless he became a significantly worse player over last summer. He had a .924sv% last year. Turns out that the studies keep showing the same thing. On-Ice save percentage has very little to do with the skaters and is largely just good or bad luck on their part. Ryan Jones has the 2nd highest on the team, is he a top notch defensive stalwart? Didn’t think so.
4) Yak lacks commitment? Laughable. By EVERY account Yak is extremely committed as a hockey player. He’s the first to practice, the last off of it, and always working on his game. This is a guy who moved his family here once he was drafted to Edmonton and if anything the Oilers are the ones who may not be showing the same level of commitment in reciprocity.
Just because a young player is struggling in only his first full season it doesn’t mean he lacks commitment. This is the statement that kills me. Where does Dreger come off saying something so unequivocally dumb?
Yakupov has 24 points in 61 games. That is most definitely disappointing, but he isnt alone in struggling this year. Calder trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau *spits* has just 25 points in 64 games. Alex Galchenyuk has 26 points in 52 games. All three offensively gifted young men are struggling to put up points this year in the NHL. But who is ripping the characters of the other two players? When will Dreger stand on his pulpit and rant about Huberdeau’s lack of commitment and non-elite skill level?
What a joke.
LINEUPS
Oh yeah, there’s a hockey game again today. I don’t expect any changes beyond Fasth getting the start. So if you liked watching Fraser get turnstiled last night then youre in for a good night because he’ll do it while tired this time. The Hall line looked good last night, but the Nuge was all out of sorts.
UPDATE: Lander is in for Gagner (ankle) and Larsen in for Fraser (groin)
Hall Lander Perron Yak RNH Eberle Hendricks Gordon Joensuu Gazdic Smyth Jones
Larsen Schultz Marincin Petry Klefbom Ference
Fasth
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Fight For Each Other. Last night’s game got pretty chippy and there was one sequence that encapsulated everything that was wrong with the Oilers’ “Battle Level…. Hall came in to the offensive zone offside with a lot of speed and after the whistle was blown he re-directed the puck easily towards the net. The Blues took offense with that (understandably) and got in Hall’s grill. Hall got a glove in someone’s face and then there were two guys all over him. Where were Hall’s teammates? Well Justin Schultz eventually skated by to let the older boys know he called his Mom.
2) Deep Breaths. Last night was wave after wave of attack from the opposition, but the Blues are one of the best teams in the NHL and actually lead the league in points. Detroit is a much weaker team (still heads and tails ahead of the Oilers though) so in theory tonight is an easier task.
3) Yak Scores. Just shove it down their throats, kid.
Puck drops tonight at 5:38PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet. Game On!
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