I wouldn't mind him, but would it be worth it to get him if Edmonton wants us to majorly overpay for him??? Not sure about that, depends on what they want. If it's Subban or Price forget about it.

I don't know if its a fail. I just look at the roster and look at the holes and the most expendable players. Check this out ( and keep in mind this is not an UNtouchables list)
Hall Nuge Hemsky
Perron Gags Eberle
Joensuu Gordon _____?
Smyth Acton Brown
J Schultz ______?
Petry Belov
Ferrence Grebs

______?
LaBackup

Basically I see 3 positions that need filling once Gags is back.the players not on the roster are all available for trade. Tell me we can't figure out how to acquire a top D , a Goalie and a 3RW when we have currency in the form of Yak, nurse, Klefbom, Smid, n Schultz, lander , Omark, Hartikainens rights, Marincin, Gernat and Landers potential? Don't forget draft picks!
- Jeropotato

i just think yak automatically replaces forsberg on the right wing for predators. predators can let n.schultz walk season end. no strings attached. don't think they will rush klefbom with jones also in the line up now. 2nd rounder is to sweeten the pot. predators have depth in the left wing to let go of wilson.

Maybe you did. Do you want a cookie for coming up with a fantasy trade proposal first?
- Jeropotato

That would be nice ... Unless it's raisin

Holy cow, Nash wins that deal.
- Meeqsb

Don't care if Nashville wins the trade.I only care if it helps make the Oilers a better hockey team. I think this deal does that and also provides some opportunity to acquire a goalie with other assets.

exactly...i didn't like it that much.
- deks1

Nashvilles 1st will be top 10. Pretty sweet trade chip.

we want a goaltender and aint really interested in anyone not named backstrom.

backstrom ++

brodin+
- hugefemale dog77

Come on!

But seriously. First, even decent tenders can thrive with solid D. I don't Dub is that bad. Brodin is out of the question. I threw Scandella in there for the simple fact that he was projected as a top 4 D man. Size, speed, skill. Had some injury problems and now that he is healthy, he is falling in the mix of the Wilds competitive young D. Given the chance and responsibilities... more ice time. He IMO can be a top 4 D. Also and Edm need.
Second, Gustafsson is probably out of the question. But I'd throw him in there. Take away the pick and take those 3 for yak and I'd say both teams make out pretty well, filling major needs.

It doesn't matter why they would, because they currently are shopping Yak around, hence this entire post. Also was stated on TSN
- Meeqsb

Lol...Edmonton is not shopping around Yakapov. TSN is making a story out of nothing. Some people believe everything they see on TV and read on the Internet.

Lol...Edmonton is not shopping around Yakapov. TSN is making a story out of nothing. Some people believe everything they see on TV and read on the Internet.
- Jeropotato

Sadly this is true. They sat a young player to send a message. Give him a look from the above the ice. Has been proven to help players recognize time and space a bit better.

As much as I want it to be true and REALLY wish it were for the sake of having the pipe dream of the Wild making a move for him to avoid signing Vanek, it just wont happen.

Edm sat a player for a couple games to send a message. He is not going anywhere.

Come on!

But seriously. First, even decent tenders can thrive with solid D. I don't Dub is that bad. Brodin is out of the question. I threw Scandella in there for the simple fact that he was projected as a top 4 D man. Size, speed, skill. Had some injury problems and now that he is healthy, he is falling in the mix of the Wilds competitive young D. Given the chance and responsibilities... more ice time. He IMO can be a top 4 D. Also and Edm need.
Second, Gustafsson is probably out of the question. But I'd throw him in there. Take away the pick and take those 3 for yak and I'd say both teams make out pretty well, filling major needs.
- uHoser12

Sorry but if we are giving up yak, it would be to fill one of two needs. A starting goalie or a top 2 dmen. So your deal isn't close. What female dog said was true. Backstrom or Brodin would need to be one of the pieces.

Come on!

But seriously. First, even decent tenders can thrive with solid D. I don't Dub is that bad. Brodin is out of the question. I threw Scandella in there for the simple fact that he was projected as a top 4 D man. Size, speed, skill. Had some injury problems and now that he is healthy, he is falling in the mix of the Wilds competitive young D. Given the chance and responsibilities... more ice time. He IMO can be a top 4 D. Also and Edm need.
Second, Gustafsson is probably out of the question. But I'd throw him in there. Take away the pick and take those 3 for yak and I'd say both teams make out pretty well, filling major needs.
- uHoser12

no thanks.
we have defenders waiting in the wings too.
and we want immediate impact players now. that's the only way we make the deal. that or a true bluechipper like brodin.
none of those guys you suggested make it worthwhile for us to deal the potential that yaks has.
we could absolutely get a better package elsewhere.
one of backstrom or brodin and we're talking

Nashvilles 1st will be top 10. Pretty sweet trade chip.
- Jeropotato

if smid+1st to ott get lehner, i'd do it...but i think ott will ask edm to take back another contract for salary.

Sadly this is true. They sat a young player to send a message. Give him a look from the above the ice. Has been proven to help players recognize time and space a bit better.

As much as I want it to be true and REALLY wish it were for the sake of having the pipe dream of the Wild making a move for him to avoid signing Vanek, it just wont happen.

Edm sat a player for a couple games to send a message. He is not going anywhere.
- uHoser12

The logic of some of the Kool-Aid drinking sheep on here is hilarious.
Dubnyk struggles terribly
+
Eakins benches Yakapov
=
Edmonton looking to trade Yak for a goalie
X
Reported by TSN
= it must be true !!!!!!!

no thanks.
we have defenders waiting in the wings too.
and we want immediate impact players now. that's the only way we make the deal. that or a true bluechipper like brodin.
none of those guys you suggested make it worthwhile for us to deal the potential that yaks has.
we could absolutely get a better package elsewhere.
one of backstrom or brodin + and we're talking
- hugefemale dog77

You're never going to get a top 2 D (which really, only a proven player could qualify for) for a relatively unproven forward. Please understand the context of that sentence when I say, "relatively unproven".

Yak has all the potential in the world. But hasn't had a full season to show it yet. So to demand a top 2 D, no way. Good luck. Better off hoping for that starting tendy. Which Edm will be overpaying for when they take on any starting goalies contract that is worth enough to give up Nail. ie: Miller, MAC.

I actually think the Leafs could offer up a decent package... Reimer, Gardiner, Guathier....Can't imagine Yakupov being a Carlyle type of player though

we want a goaltender and aint really interested in any goalie not named backstrom.

backstrom +

brodin+
- hugefemale dog77

I doubt the wild do this. 23+ minutes as a rookie, now he has developed an offensive game (5 pts in 7 games) and is getting 25+ mins a night as a sophomore.

i'd try

edm: josi, forsberg, wilson
nsh: yak, klefbom, n.schultz, 2015 2nd pick
- deks1

We are thinner than we've ever been on D so Poile wouldn't come off of Josi. Forsberg and Wilson ARE our offense and Poile nor Trotz would ever consider someone unable or unwilling to play defense. Not to mention the possibility of him bolting to Russia. Been there before. Therefore I must request you move on to another offensively starved team.

You're never going to get a top 2 D (which really, only a proven player could qualify for) for a relatively unproven forward. Please understand the context of that sentence when I say, "relatively unproven".

Yak has all the potential in the world. But hasn't had a full season to show it yet. So to demand a top 2 D, no way. Good luck. Better off hoping for that starting tendy. Which Edm will be overpaying for when they take on any starting goalies contract that is worth enough to give up Nail. ie: Miller, MAC.
- uHoser12

yaks lead rookies in goals and points last year.
brodin also had a fantastic rookie year.

brodin has outplayed yaks for the first 7 games of the year this year. I don't see a huge gap here...

ill say again, he's the only suitable player outside of backstrom that the oilers would most likely want.(the parise's and the suters are obviously out of the question)
you're welcome to think brodins value outstrips yaks'. i don't.

id be interested in miller, but unless he was to resign or another solid asset came along with him. he isn't worth yaks straight up either.

I doubt the wild do this. 23+ minutes as a rookie, now he has developed an offensive game (5 pts in 7 games) and is getting 25+ mins a night as a sophomore.
- GardinerExpress

agreed. doubtful.

the oilers would rather keep yaks than trade for depth and/or question marks though.

im not calling you out personally, but it's always the same on HB.

"the oilers need to trade one of the kids to get back true quality"!! "no one wants your secondary players"!!
now that one might be available, people dont wanna give back the type of quality theyre worth!!

cant win no matter what we do!!

I do like that he mentioned zucker though.

backstrom and zucker

yaks +

agreed. doubtful.

the oilers would rather keep yaks than trade for depth and/or question marks though.

im not calling you out personally, but it's always the same on HB.

"the oilers need to trade one of the kids to get back true quality"!! "no one wants your secondary players"!!
now that one might be available, people dont wanna give back the type of quality theyre worth!!

cant win no matter what we do!!

I do like that he mentioned zucker though.

backstrom and zucker

yaks +
- hugefemale dog77

A lot of that has to do with the oilers super kids being their only useful players... like at all. Tambles did such a horrible job at not bringing in anyone to play around the high draft picks that you guys got which is the reason your are in this situation now. The only good players you have had have been your wonder kids.

MacT has done a good job with Perron, Gordon and Ference but this team is still filled with holes.

See how it kinda makes sense now....

The russian stigma will always haunt hockey players. After Kovi retiring, Radulov pulling a Radulov and Nickuchkin (or what ever his name is) saying its NHL or russia, there is always that risk that comes with these players. If you are going to invest into such an important part of your team its important to know that they just wont bolt on you and leave you in a situation like the Devils this year where they will be a bottom feeding team with no 1st round pick.

Russians are also known for having the stigma of playing a strong individual game but being lazy on the back check and lacking in teamwork.

While this isn't fair nor a solid argument in any way shape or form and while you could say that about a lot of players regardless of ethnicity, it is something that lingers in the back of peoples minds.

Yaks recent interview, well translated or not, didn't help that. As skilled as he is, if he is going to be stubborn and selfish he isn't worth much.

Look at a player like Hossa, you can score as many 100 point seasons as you want but until you learn to play 2 way hockey you wont win a cup.

The russian stigma will always haunt hockey players. After Kovi retiring, Radulov pulling a Radulov and Nickuchkin (or what ever his name is) saying its NHL or russia, there is always that risk that comes with these players. If you are going to invest into such an important part of your team its important to know that they just wont bolt on you and leave you in a situation like the Devils this year where they will be a bottom feeding team with no 1st round pick.

Russians are also known for having the stigma of playing a strong individual game but being lazy on the back check and lacking in teamwork.

While this isn't fair nor a solid argument in any way shape or form and while you could say that about a lot of players regardless of ethnicity, it is something that lingers in the back of peoples minds.

Yaks recent interview, well translated or not, didn't help that. As skilled as he is, if he is going to be stubborn and selfish he isn't worth much.

Look at a player like Hossa, you can score as many 100 point seasons as you want but until you learn to play 2 way hockey you wont win a cup.
- Meeqsb

All fair points whether I like it or not. Although, I think the tag or 1st overall pick has to done something to negate those other factors, regardless of attitude, wouldn't you say?

All fair points whether I like it or not. Although, I think the tag or 1st overall pick has to done something to negate those other factors, regardless of attitude, wouldn't you say?
- MaximumBone

I think it makes it worse. If your 3rd liner suddenly bolts for russia out of no where then they are more or less replaceable. However if someone of Yakupov's skill or talent leaves it could cripple a team. The fact that you had to spend a 1st round pick or send major assets away to get him makes it that much worse in comparison.

If it was any other player then you could risk it a little more, but if you are trading for someone as good as Yak you had better be sure he is willing to give 110% and is fully committed to being a part of a teams future.

Personally I think Eakins is an idiot from what I have seen so far but I think MacT will make the oilers a playoff team again.

Edit: God forbid, if there weren't these question marks and risks surrounding Yak do you have any idea what you guys could get for him.

I think it makes it worse. If your 3rd liner suddenly bolts for russia out of no where then they are more or less replaceable. However if someone of Yakupov's skill or talent leaves it could cripple a team. The fact that you had to spend a 1st round pick or send major assets away to get him makes it that much worse in comparison.

If it was any other player then you could risk it a little more, but if you are trading for someone as good as Yak you had better be sure he is willing to give 110% and is fully committed to being a part of a teams future.

Personally I think Eakins is an idiot from what I have seen so far but I think MacT will make the oilers a playoff team again.
- Meeqsb

I don't think bolting to the KHL should be focus of peoples' concern so much as a recent unwillingness to play the game the "right" way.

To be fair to Eakins, Yakupov has been playing worse than bad. Like, he's been Taylor Hall at C bad all the time. I can't even explain it either. I'm sure he'll turn it around eventually cause that kid has got incredible work ethic (despite his comments) and some crazy tools at his disposal, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least A LITTLE concerned.

I don't think bolting to the KHL should be focus of peoples' concern so much as a recent unwillingness to play the game the "right" way.

To be fair to Eakins, Yakupov has been playing worse than bad. Like, he's been Taylor Hall at C bad all the time. I can't even explain it either. I'm sure he'll turn it around eventually cause that kid has got incredible work ethic (despite his comments) and some crazy tools at his disposal, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least A LITTLE concerned.
- MaximumBone

The things I have seen Eakins do has little to do with Yak. I would be worried about both personally. He could use it as leverage for signing contracts, threaten it if they think about sending him down ever (not that he would) but if he ever gets to a point in his career where he is frustrated he can know Russia will always be willing to pay him BANK for him to come play there.

The things I have seen Eakins do has little to do with Yak. I would be worried about both personally. He could use it as leverage for signing contracts, threaten it if they think about sending him down ever (not that he would) but if he ever gets to a point in his career where he is frustrated he can know Russia will always be willing to pay him BANK for him to come play there.
- Meeqsb

What other things, if you don't mind me asking?