I think part of that has to do with the changing landscape of the game. Players who can be impact forwards by age 21 like Yzerman were the exception in his day, but now they're the rule.

Not every player's development is like that though, and treating players as such really hurts their confidence. I think Yakupov will be just fine, and the haters who call him a bust at this juncture are just being that - hateful. If they think he fails in his potential so quickly, I'm not likely to trust anything they have to say about the next prospect down the line.

I think Yakupov will become a perfect pain to play against. He's flashy and antagonistic, and has perhaps the best pure shot on our team. Ideally he's a 40-goal guy, but ironically given his comments he actually has the makings of a really pesky forechecker with a strong lower body, good speed and good hand eye.
- Morris

i think those that think yak all of a sudden has no value whatsoever are dead wrong, but you cant deny that some of the luster as rightfully or not, worn off a bit since being drafted.

i think those that think yak all of a sudden has no value whatsoever are dead wrong, but you cant deny that some of the luster as rightfully or not, worn off a bit since being drafted.
- stayinthefnnet

Well, since very few top picks reach their potential of perennial all-star and franchise player, I think some of that lustre wearing off is pretty natural.

I think the guy needs to get a translator and a publicist. He starts by saying he wants to improve his game and not get away from what makes him the kind of player he is, and ends up sounding like he's unwilling to play without the puck and wants to be traded

This isn't the first time he's put his foot in his mouth...

Well, since very few top picks reach their potential of perennial all-star and franchise player, I think some of that lustre wearing off is pretty natural.

I think the guy needs to get a translator and a publicist. He starts by saying he wants to improve his game and not get away from what makes him the kind of player he is, and ends up sounding like he's unwilling to play without the puck and wants to be traded

This isn't the first time he's put his foot in his mouth...
- Morris

players are like stocks, constantly fluctuating both up and down. just as quickly as he has dipped so far, people forget that he could quickly go right back up in the span of one season in which he pots say 35 goals. look at stamkos. his first season was damn respectable, but it was still eh enough for his value to be slightly less in perception that quickly.

and as for yakupov, no thanks.

we don't need any Russian head cases. should have picked gally from montreal.

that kid.
- SuperHenderson13

Good cause we're not offering him

players are like stocks, constantly fluctuating both up and down. just as quickly as he has dipped so far, people forget that he could quickly go right back up in the span of one season in which he pots say 35 goals. look at stamkos. his first season was damn respectable, but it was still eh enough for his value to be slightly less in perception that quickly.
- stayinthefnnet

Like any of the other kids, he's not untouchable because we can't succeed without him, he's untouchable because I find it highly unlikely we'd get value for him.

You shop a kid after 90 NHL games, other GMs will ask why and lowball you.

I hate all of you

I hate all of you
- dbell646

I always thought you were cool.

Actually I'm not sure. A lot of posters that don't have profile pictures blend together for me.

Agreed. And I'm not trying to say I'm looking for a "big pile of junk" trade.

It's just that whether it's Eberle for the kind of Dman he'd fetch, or our 1st + Klefbom for the kind of Dman that would fetch, or Gagner + Hemsky for the kind of dman that would fetch, the Oilers don't really have room to screw up a deal like that. And maybe I'm picky, but I'd consider a move that makes us marginally better but doesn't truly solve many problems for us to be a bit of a waste, especially the higher value you're shipping out.

And really, it's a tough question: Would the Oilers be better off with two solid top 4 guys, or one true top pairing guy? Or would they be better off with a really excellent creative puck moving dman or a less good solid two-way guy who fits our needs better?

It's a daunting decision, and I'm glad I'm not the GM.
- Morris

We have to pin our hopes on something. I feel most comfortable pinning our hopes on our developmental system, and our prospects over filling that big #1 D hole VIA free agency or through trades, so I say 2 top top 4 guys to shelter our upcoming D prospects in the hopes that Klefbom, Nurse, Petry,Schultz and Marincin develop into our core group on the back end.

Player A ... supposed stud from the standpoint of Oiler fans that was going to make an immediate impact as a FORWARD

Player B ... second D pairing for the Penguins.

So, stud young first overall pick expected to make immediate impact for Edmonton is being outscored by a second D pairing guy that isn't known for piling up points.

Yep, I guess I'm missing something champ. Move along. Hell, our 18 year old D man from Finland is only four points behind the supposed immediate impact stud.

Edmonton fans like you continue to crack me up with your sheer lunacy.
- Oneonta Penguin

Nobody claimed he was going to make an immediate impact. 1st overall or not he's still a 20 year old kid that's struggling in his sophomore season. And through his first 82 games played was on the same pace as many 1st overall picks. RNH, Hall, Tavares, Stamkos, and Kane all had very similar point totals. What a poopty bunch of players to be on pace with. But keep trying. Your lack of hockey knowledge isn't noticeable at all.

We have to pin our hopes on something. I feel most comfortable pinning our hopes on our developmental system, and our prospects over filling that big #1 D hole VIA free agency or through trades, so I say 2 top top 4 guys to shelter our upcoming D prospects in the hopes that Klefbom, Nurse, Petry,Schultz and Marincin develop into our core group on the back end.
- Jeropotato

I also feel that Larsen, Fedun, and Musil have high bottom pairing projectability. It's never smart to bank on someone becoming a top pairing dman, but I like our depth among our young dmen a lot.

Like any of the other kids, he's not untouchable because we can't succeed without him, he's untouchable because I find it highly unlikely we'd get value for him.

You shop a kid after 90 NHL games, other GMs will ask why and lowball you.
- Morris

i also wouldnt move yakupov right now either, for that very reason. moving him right now, you are undoubtedly going to not receive equal value for the reasons already discussed. id rather take the risk that he may never develop and hold onto him to see if he will. then, if he does progress and you still want to move him for reason X, at least both teams have a better assessment of what you are dealing with value wise.

for these same reasons, im fearful of the pens trading despres. we can talk all we want about his potential and measurables, but right now on paper he is a young AHL/NHL tweener who isnt getting consistent time necessary to showcase whatever talents may/may not be there.

I also feel that Larsen, Fedun, and Musil have high bottom pairing projectability. It's never smart to bank on someone becoming a top pairing dman, but I like our depth among our young dmen a lot.
- Morris

Maybe not, but we almost have to commit to one erection or another.Do we draft and develop, or go out and get it?

I also feel that Larsen, Fedun, and Musil have high bottom pairing projectability. It's never smart to bank on someone becoming a top pairing dman, but I like our depth among our young dmen a lot.
- Morris

I hear this guy is slower than Molasses dripping out of Laughs ass crack.

Maybe not, but we almost have to commit to one erection or another.Do we draft and develop, or go out and get it?
- Jeropotato

You sorta suggested a middle ground that I like.

I think the longer we wait to add via free agency/trade, the more tempting it'll be to thrust Klefbom/Schultz/Nurse into a 25 minute a night role they're not ready for.

I hear this guy is slower than Molasses dripping out of Laughs ass crack.
- Jeropotato

Yeah I hear that he was a reach at 31st, but probably only because he doesn't have top 4 potential, not because he's a longshot to make the NHL . Bet you he turns out to be a Marc Fistric type. Maybe a little better. A solid enough #6 option.

He's sheltered because Bylsma is an idiot. He had the best possession numbers on our team (a team that includes Crosby and Malkin mind you) after his call up until Bylsma started benching him for Engelland for god knows why. He's still got good numbers for the 2nd straight year in spite of being misused and is in our top 2 best D most nights. He very rarely gets significant PP or PK time in spite of being great at both. He's been mismanaged horribly by Bylsma and co.
- cygnus41

This!!!!Imagine your team has a promising young d prospect that plays well consistenly but for some inexplicable reason your coach keeps starting a borderline 6-7 NHL d man over him ... stick around the thread you ll here alot of this... bylsma is bad with young players... bennett, depres, bortuzzo, lovejoy...et

You sorta suggested a middle ground that I like.

I think the longer we wait to add via free agency/trade, the more tempting it'll be to thrust Klefbom/Schultz/Nurse into a 25 minute a night role they're not ready for.
- Morris

Well that's where the developing part comes in. 3 years Junior/AHL, and about 2-3 years of sheltered time/apprenticeship in the NHL. Which stresses the need for quality "journeymen" for a few years. And no I don't mean Nick Schultz /Jason Strudwick types.

This!!!!Imagine your team has a promising young d prospect that plays well consistenly but for some inexplicable reason your coach keeps starting a borderline 6-7 NHL d man ... stick around the thread you ll here alot of this... bylsma is bad with young players... bennett, depres, bortuzzo, lovejoy...et
- Brianandr1

Well,what are ya gonna do?

This!!!!Imagine your team has a promising young d prospect that plays well consistenly but for some inexplicable reason your coach keeps starting a borderline 6-7 NHL d man ... stick around the thread you ll here alot of this... bylsma is bad with young players... bennett, depres, bortuzzo, lovejoy...et
- Brianandr1

replace D with forward and you've essentially got Yakupov.

Eakins benches/scratches him a lot and not a lot of it is for a solid reason.

Well that's where the developing part comes in. 3 years Junior/AHL, and about 2-3 years of sheltered time/apprenticeship in the NHL. Which stresses the need for quality "journeymen" for a few years. And no I don't mean Nick Schultz /Jason Strudwick types.
- Jeropotato

Petry - XXXXX
XXXX - Schultz
Ference- Marincin
Larsen

If those two were Ehrhoff and Coburn and we get the kind of goaltending Bryz is giving us now, I can't see us out of the playoffs next year. Only problem is, I don't think Gagner + 1st + whatever prospects gets you both of those guys....

replace D with forward and you've essentially got Yakupov.

Eakins benches/scratches him a lot and not a lot of it is for a solid reason.
- Morris

Nothing is worse then the way buffalo has handled Grigorenko, but i feel your pain
Depres will be a top 4 guy for someone in a year or two, frustrating it prob wont be here ... for some reason disco does not like him

Gags for someone like Niskanen?

Gags for someone like Niskanen?
- JasonDh[/qu

I like it but id be shocked if pitt moved him, been one of our best men this season

Nothing is worse then the way buffalo has handled Grigorenko, but i feel your pain
Depres will be a top 4 guy for someone in a year or two, frustrating it prob wont be here ... for some reason disco does not like him
- Brianandr1

Whatever happened to Orlov in Washington? Weren't they sending him down and then re-calling him just so his escape clause to the KHL didn't kick in? That's pretty low and if I recall correctly he was super pissed.

Gags for someone like Niskanen?
- JasonDh

Not outside of a sign-and-trade scenario.