Why is Yakupov a bust?
- Thread starter Mike Martin
- Start date
Diamondillium
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He simply doesn't think the game well enough. He has great physical tools which got him by in junior but he can't mentally keep up at the top level.
Its unfortunate, since he's a really hard worker and a great guy.
Its unfortunate, since he's a really hard worker and a great guy.
WeWantTacos
they said aw-reety an' they was aw-righty
Falco Lombardi
Registered User
His intelligence quotient in terms of professional ice hockey played in a North American style is severely lacking
Russian Factor
Registered User
Dirty Dan
Saturday Night Lupul
He's been playing trash minutes for 4 years. he needs to go to the KHL asap and get some confidence
im sure he would do well in the KHL because he might have some semblance of two way game now
you dont rush prospects into the 3rd line thats just stupid
leave to the KHL and come back in 4 years , he will be a top 6 forward watch
im sure he would do well in the KHL because he might have some semblance of two way game now
you dont rush prospects into the 3rd line thats just stupid
leave to the KHL and come back in 4 years , he will be a top 6 forward watch
Last edited:
Poor hockey sense, poor coaching, poor confidence.
Following Ralph Kreuger's success with Yakupov (scored at a 30g pace), later coaches stopped playing him where he was successful (RW and low on the right side on the PP) and attempted to round him into a complete hockey player.
They succeeded only in beating all offensive skill out of him while he failed to learn the defensive side of the game.
Perfect example of square peg - round hole. Not every player on a hockey team needs to play a 200ft game. He could have been a useful scorer and a defensive black hole instead of a complete bust.
Following Ralph Kreuger's success with Yakupov (scored at a 30g pace), later coaches stopped playing him where he was successful (RW and low on the right side on the PP) and attempted to round him into a complete hockey player.
They succeeded only in beating all offensive skill out of him while he failed to learn the defensive side of the game.
Perfect example of square peg - round hole. Not every player on a hockey team needs to play a 200ft game. He could have been a useful scorer and a defensive black hole instead of a complete bust.
There were questions about his hockey intelligence back in Junior hockey. He was an amazing athlete with all the attributes you could hope for. That was enough to carry him through Juniors and make him a star.
Sean Day is a similar example of a player who can do it all, but his hockey intelligence is either a step to slow or lacking.
The question becomes can these types of players, with good coaching and structured system become viable players? Sure why not.
I think everyone can agree Yaks was not placed into the best situation to succeed. Edmonton was a mess and not the best environment to grow as a young player. The damage is done now.
It's all mental with him, he cant process the game at the speed he needs to. His time in the KHL shows he can play well at a slightly slower pace than the NHL game.
What I'm not sure if the attitude problems associated with Yaks were there in Junior, or if they came about through frustration and his KHL issues during the lockout.
I think what I am trying to say is yes - Edmonton and poor coaching didnt help, but there were obvious short comings prior to his draft.
Sean Day is a similar example of a player who can do it all, but his hockey intelligence is either a step to slow or lacking.
The question becomes can these types of players, with good coaching and structured system become viable players? Sure why not.
I think everyone can agree Yaks was not placed into the best situation to succeed. Edmonton was a mess and not the best environment to grow as a young player. The damage is done now.
It's all mental with him, he cant process the game at the speed he needs to. His time in the KHL shows he can play well at a slightly slower pace than the NHL game.
What I'm not sure if the attitude problems associated with Yaks were there in Junior, or if they came about through frustration and his KHL issues during the lockout.
I think what I am trying to say is yes - Edmonton and poor coaching didnt help, but there were obvious short comings prior to his draft.
You don't believe there were a fair amount of people who thought a 22 year old former 1st overall pick could maybe still put it together? Especially in a new environment with considerably less pressure?
ZiGOODejad
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AtNightWeFly
You better run.
People like me.
Still slightly think if he goes to an offensive style team that's not struggling he might be able to salvage his career some. I give him 1 more shot.
He was supposed to be a "fun" one!
King Mapes
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Guardian17
Strong & Free
Perhaps they should convert him into a defensive forward/pk specialist.
He does have speed and tenacity - and defence seems to be easier to learn than offence.
He does have speed and tenacity - and defence seems to be easier to learn than offence.
The Panther
Registered User
I think these two comments are probably the most correct.
The NHL is a lot faster than any N.A. minor league. Things happen quicker and you have no time to think about your move. There are certainly elite players (the Gretzky, Crosby-types) whose brains process the high-speed stuff so well that the transition from junior to NHL is almost seamless. There are other less dominant players who also seem to 'get up to speed' almost immediately (McDavid, Laine). But for 95% of players entering the NHL at age 18 or 19, there's a challenge to reproduce what you've done before at the speed of the NHL. On the continuum of players, Yakupov was probably at the extreme end of not being able to get up to speed. The peak speed he played at in junior was his limit. He can't process plays at NHL speed.
And yes, he would likely have benefited from being 'eased' in slower. As would most young players. I always think of the Calgary Flames in the late-80s when they were so deep at forward that they traded away young Brett Hull for a 2nd-unit defenceman and kept Joe Nieuwendyk in the minors for a couple of years because they simply didn't need those players -- they had too many good forwards already. That's actually an ideal way for young skilled forwards to come in, step by step, with no pressure to carry the team right away. Obviously the Oilers c.2009 to 2013 were not that type of team. They didn't have any depth or top-end forwards and rushed Hall and RNH and Yakupov into high-pressure performance roles before they were necessarily ready.
It's a gamble with 18 year olds. Sometimes you gamble and win; usually you don't.
rboomercat90
Registered User
I think his biggest problem is he doesn't think that he's any part of the problem at all. It's been well documented that he's a very hard worker in practice, what we didn't find out until last year is that he's only interested in working on the skills he's already good at. He had no interest in practicing the skills he was weak in. Big reason why he never improved.
I thought his post trade comments revealed another glimpse into why he failed too. He was asked why things haven't worked out for him so far and he said "I don't know, maybe coach didn't like me." Made himself sound like some kind of victim. Odd statement for a guy who had four coaches in Edmonton who all seemed to have some issue with him and a coach on the Russian national team who made up an injury as an excuse to not have him at the World Cup. Would appear neither Hitchcock and now Yeo don't like him either. Yak doesn't seem willing or capable of taking any responsibility for his shortcomings and I think that's as big a reason as any why he's failed.
I thought his post trade comments revealed another glimpse into why he failed too. He was asked why things haven't worked out for him so far and he said "I don't know, maybe coach didn't like me." Made himself sound like some kind of victim. Odd statement for a guy who had four coaches in Edmonton who all seemed to have some issue with him and a coach on the Russian national team who made up an injury as an excuse to not have him at the World Cup. Would appear neither Hitchcock and now Yeo don't like him either. Yak doesn't seem willing or capable of taking any responsibility for his shortcomings and I think that's as big a reason as any why he's failed.
McRpro
Cont. without supporting.
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Still slightly think if he goes to an offensive style team that's not struggling he might be able to salvage his career some. I give him 1 more shot.
He was supposed to be a "fun" one!
No team in that position would put up with the fact that Yak is a brain dead hockey player.
stubbadub
Registered User
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