I've never understood how a guy with that much potential, and that showed he had big league skills in his first season could become next to nothing as a player. What is it about his game that dropped off so bad? Is he a floater? Is his speed not very good? What's the deal with this guy?
- Routs

he doesnt process the game fast enough, simple enough. Guy has all world talent but when your hockey IQ is low, doesnt matter if you cant separate yourself from the pack

I honestly don't think the Avs used him well, we was delegated to the 4th line playing 8 minutes a night and was often a healthy scratch. He is talented, but for some reason found himself in Bednar's doghouse.
- Avsrchamps01

they used him fine, he had his shot and ultimately he just isnt reliable enough to be in the Top 6 role. He has talent but he has his short comings when you cant trust him to make the smart play logging heavy minutes.

I loved Yak on the team he was a fun character to have, but he isnt better than anyone in the Top 9 now, and you dont put him on the 4th line so his time has come

Yakupov is a player that coachs need to let do his thing.
- poisondhearts37

thats how coaches get fired

thats how coaches get fired
- DDM-Coga

Disagree to a degree though. There are just some players that are left alone to do there own thing.

Disagree to a degree though. There are just some players that are left alone to do there own thing.
- poisondhearts37

normally I would say yes absolutely, but Yak did have that, He got to be Yak being Yak

But when it was final 20-16 game push to make the playoffs, you cant have him as a wild card out there. Unreal talent but just not smart enough as a hockey player

He played very well with McDavid... I'd much rather have Yak on his RW instead of Rattie...

I think the two best fits for Yakupov are Washington or Pittsburgh.

I think with either Ovechkin and Malkin have the ability to take him under their wing and make something out of his career.