HEY MAINSTREAM MEDIA!

 It’s time for igor larionov to tell his client nail yakupov that wearing the C means you talk. Kid needs wake-up call

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) January 2, 2013

SEE THIS?

So Nail Yakupov doesn’t do post-game interviews in Ufa after another quiet game. Kid making people wonder on and off the ice.

— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) January 2, 2013

THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS.

Swiss G Melvin Nyffeler comes out in gear to talk about gut wrenching s/o loss to Russia. Russian capt Nail Yakupov? Nyet. #wjc2013 #oilers

— Joanne Ireland (@jirelandEJ) January 2, 2013

Team Russia squeaked out a W over Team Switzerland at the World Juniors today.  By ‘squeak’, I mean Team Switzerland had the lead with ninety seconds remaining in the third.  Nikita Kucherov tied it for Team Russia, and Kucherov scored in the shootout to give Russia the win.

Media wanted to ask Russia’s captain Nail Yakupov some questions.  Yakupov declined to meet with the media.

Which of course, means that we start attacking Yakupov’s integrity, we call him a prima donna, we say that he’s got no heart, no grit, isn’t clutch, is bad in the room, will never be captain material, probably isn’t fit to make the Oilers, and other such nonsense that we’ve heard over and over with different players.

Ales Hemsky and Linus Omark are probably laughing upon hearing about this story.

Let me get this straight:  guy is averaging a point per game (5 in 5), scores a lonely assist in today’s game, doesn’t give interview to media, and then media gripes about it on Twitter while attacking his integrity?  Respect to you, Mr. Jones, but him not talking to the media doesn’t have me raising red flags about his character.

Hey, Edmonton?  The guy hasn’t even played a game for the team yet, and you’re already crapping all over him.  Stop it. Knock it off, seriously.  I know we’re starved for hockey, but this is a non-story.

I might be more able to see your point if the Oilers got mauled by the Canucks, but this isn’t the case.

Ever wonder why when players leave town it sounds like a soap opera?  THIS IS A HUGE REASON WHY.

Can’t we at least wait for him to play with the Oilers before questioning his integrity?

Am I asking too much?  

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