Yakupov's feet come to a standstill for noticeable periods, when he's in the D zone, when he's coming back to his own end i.e. zero backchecking effort, and when he doesn't have the puck. He is certainly guilty of puck watching, and though I don't necessarily think he's being lazy I can see why there's criticism of laziness in his game. I don't know if it's poor conditioning (the talking heads were saying how he came into camp in quite good shape -- but maybe it wasn't the right kind of shape) or what.
I also am one of those who thinks his game could do with some AHL time, where the pace is slower, where he will play significantly more minutes, put some serious work into polishing his defensive game (and come to the realization that he needs better endurance and yes, work ethic) and where he can rebuild some offensive confidence again. However, as Aerchon stated a few posts above, very astutely, it could be devastating for the strained relationship between him and this organization.
I'm not losing patience with the kid... yet. But it's getting to the point where he needs to mature and come to the understanding of just what he needs to do to stay and thrive in the NHL (all the young kids on this roster do, to be frank -- not just Yak, though he has become the primary target of it). I wish he'd accept that assignment to the farm, but with his attitude and his agent? Forget it.