McKenzie: Blackhawks had/have interest in Yakupov

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Its much easier to replace a 4C than a solid top-4 D. I'm still thinking about this year, not just signing Panarin. Moving Seabrook is something I'd really consider after this season, especially if Pokka/Forsling/Kempny show that they can play top-4 minutes for us.

I refuse to believe that Kruger's defensive prowess is so valuable when the possession numbers, shot suppression numbers, and quite frankly, the eye-test show me otherwise. You have to put up more than 17 points in a year, whether you're facing top competition or not.

Completely disagree with you

Krugers 3 year trend and analytics are EXCELLENT for his assignments

Here is a break down over the last 3 years trend available:

Krugers corsi for % - 52.9 (Kane for example is 53.2 over that same span)

Krugers zone starts over the last 3 year trend:

defensive zone - 49.8% (by far the most on the blackhawks, next closest is Desjardins at 33.3%)
neutral zone - 31.1%
offensive zone - 19.1% (by far the lowest on the team, next lowest is Desjardins at 27.6%)

For as much as people bag on Kruger for his offense, how is he expected to produce offense when over the last 3 years he only starts in the offensive zone 19% of the time and most of the time he starts 200 feet away from the other teams net? Along with ZERO power play time

kruger flourishes in his role but his production numbers are purely a result of Quennevilles preference of his deployment

There is a reason Kruger is on team Sweden for every major international competition for being "only" a fourth line player

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Completely disagree with you

Krugers 3 year trend and analytics are EXCELLENT for his assignments

Here is a break down over the last 3 years trend available:

Krugers corsi for % - 52.9 (Kane for example is 53.2 over that same span)

Krugers zone starts over the last 3 year trend:

defensive zone - 49.8% (by far the most on the blackhawks, next closest is Desjardins at 33.3%)
neutral zone - 31.1%
offensive zone - 19.1% (by far the lowest on the team, next lowest is Desjardins at 27.6%)

For as much as people bag on Kruger for his offense, how is he expected to produce offense when over the last 3 years he only starts in the offensive zone 19% of the time and most of the time he starts 200 feet away from the other teams net? Along with ZERO power play time

kruger flourishes in his role but his production numbers are purely a result of Quennevilles preference of his deployment

There is a reason Kruger is on team Sweden for every major international competition for being "only" a fourth line player

And over the last 3 years with a minimum of 100 games played, the only players across the entire LEAGUE that have more defensive zone starts than Kruger are Manny Malhotra, Paul Gaustad, and Boyd Gordon

 

[Tifosi]

Yak 50%

for

Pokka/TVR

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

And over the last 3 years with a minimum of 100 games played, the only players across the entire LEAGUE that have more defensive zone starts than Kruger are Manny Malhotra, Paul Gaustad, and Boyd Gordon

and not coincidentally, the cap hit for Gaustad over that period was $3.25 per and Gordons was $3 per.

Krugers is now at $3.08 mil per

Pretty much the market rate for top tier defensive specialist forwards in their prime

Would I have liked them to have agreed for less? Of course especially given the Hawks cap structure, but peeling this back and using the deployment and success metric comparables, this contract is right on the money market value wise

But you can argue all day long if Chicago should/can be giving guys market rate deals when T+K are eating $10.5 each

 

[McWeber]

Yak 50%

for

Pokka/TVR

Deal.

 

[SAADfather]

Yak 50%

for

Pokka/TVR

That's an overpayment from the Blackhawks for sure.

 

[Tifosi]

That's an overpayment from the Blackhawks for sure.

Pokka or TVR, not both obviously.

 

[McWeber]

Pokka or TVR, not both obviously.

Lean towards TVR because he has proven hes an NHLer but a potential RHD option is about the best we could get for Yak.

 

[SAADfather]

Lean towards TVR because he has proven hes an NHLer but a potential RHD option is about the best we could get for Yak.

Good because that's were we would lean towards too. With how terrific Forsling has been, I feel pretty confident giving up TVR for yakupov.

 

[malkinfan]

This whole Yakupov drama has been dragged out way too long. Just let the poor guy start fresh already. I can understand a team wants a fair trade but come on, at what point has this just been dragged on way too long and its taking its toll on the guys career. Clearly no future in EDM for him now.

 

[McWeber]

Good because that's were we would lean towards too. With how terrific Forsling has been, I feel pretty confident giving up TVR for yakupov.

Seems like the best fit of any Yak offer I have seen recently.

 

[TheSpecialist]

I have a good feeling that the prospect that would be coming back is Mark McNeill

 

[Jumptheshark]

BTW


Did some "fact checking" on how this rumour exploded today

The hockey buzz was not the first one to talk about this. He picked up the story from this guy https://twitter.com/BarstoolChief

no idea who he is--but the hockeybuzz picked up on his posts and ran with em

 

[Toronto makebeleifs]

Maybe yak 50% for pokka? I saw that suggested before and it seems pretty doable

 

[Stud Muffin]

Jim Matheson mentioned Pokka and Kyle Baun.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Jim Matheson mentioned Pokka and Kyle Baun.

do you have link for that?

Unless the hawks are moving out bodies I do not see them giving two players for Yak regardless of how much money the oilers keep

 

[go4hockey]

Get us someone who fits our identity Chia!

What identity? The decade rebuild plan.

 

[go4hockey]

Pokka or TVR, not both obviously.

Don't see the Hawks moving either piece for Yak but surely not TVR.

 

[Seachd]

What identity? The decade rebuild plan.

Has Chiarelli been there a decade? I could have sworn it's only been a year.

 

[Hally BlackWood]

but but eklund said nj, I think ill stick with him . 3rd round pick and a babe ruth chocolate bar a day after expiry date.

 

[Jumptheshark]

What identity? The decade rebuild plan.

Sorry--you did not get the memo--Oilers have a GM that was brought in from the an outside organization and a coach from a different team--neither had connections to the oilers--realize that was not talked about in the media too much

 

[ChiGuySez]

He could be one of those players that just needs a change of scenery. It's happened plenty of times before where a guy breaks out after being traded.

Good portion of the Oilers could benefit from a change of scenery.

 

[48g90a138pts]

Pretty funny how ppl say Yakupov is worth so little, then slot him straight on their 1st or 2nd line.

 

[VainGretzky]

Don't think any Oiler fan at this point will lose any sleep over a Yak trade . Even after assisting on Pitlicks goal if you freeze the shot after goal celebration where Yak is usaully very excited and happy he has a depressed look on his face. I think he is moved sometime tomorrow.

 

[_Del_]

Pretty funny how ppl say Yakupov is worth so little, then slot him straight on their 1st or 2nd line.

I think most of those same posters would say they're hoping he catches on there with some chemistry, and that it's just as or more likely he quickly becomes a 4th liner or healthy scratch.