Edmonton Oilers: Now or Never Situation for Nail Yakupov?
By Sammi Silber
As we all know, the Edmonton Oilers thought that Nail Yakupov would be the next big thing for the team. We hear it year in and year out that the first-round pick will be the next great, then they fall on their faces. This seems to be the case with Yakupov, who was supposed to be a Russian saving grace for the team, as the right winger’s performance has dramatically declined.
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Because of this, it is going to be Todd McLellan’s way or the highway for Yakupov. That means, if he doesn’t improve this year, he will never get the chance, and Yakupov will be sent packing out of Edmonton.
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Why, do you ask? Given the recent firings in the front office, this team is headed towards a zero tolerance policy. New GM Peter Chiarelli gave Justin Schultz and Tyler Pitlick, along with Brandon Davidson, one year extensions, which are what I like to call “last chance contracts” that say “improve within a year’s time or you’re done.”
With this new attitude in the front office, Yakupov knows that he is going to have to improve because the youngster has two years left with his recent extension. This will cause a problem with a lot of players resigning in the next two seasons, due to the fact that Peter Chiarelli is going to have to throw around a lot of money to keep quality players. If Yakupov wants a pay raise, let alone the opportunity to stay in Edmonton, he is going to have to show a lot more than he has already.
That means that he is going to have to score a lot more than one critical goal in the last seconds of the game. He is going to have to toughen up and gain confidence, as well as shoot the puck more and become more involved in the play. Basically, he has to show the skill that he has. He has talent, he just needs to let it out and show it, as well as let it explode in his play. If he does, more opportunities are to come for him.
In addition, as a coach, Todd McLellan won’t deal with players performing below their potential. If they’re good enough to score, he will expect them to score. McLellan is a low-tolerance coach who is great at training youth to perform at their best. If Yakupov can’t buy into that system, then he will not improve, and he will be sent packing.
The goal is for every single player on the team to improve and play at their highest potential. That way, the whole team will become better, and more games will be won. This is a team looking to dig their way out of the hole they’ve been buried in as they climb the mountain back to playoff status. That is the goal. Improve and rise in the standings. If that’s not done, they will clean house and try again. It’s simple.
I personally believe that too many people throw Yakupov down and make him seem insignificant. He is very important, as he is one of our top six forwards who can improve his play when necessary. He has been in many trade rumors as of late, but trust me, we don’t want to send him out just yet. He is a clutch player with great skill and talent. I think Yakupov can improve. With Connor McDavid‘s playmaking ability and Taylor Hall‘s help on the left side, he will be fine. However, if he doesn’t show that spark this year, or if he doesn’t break out of this slump, he will be sent packing to another team.
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