The Worst NHL Combine Interview I Ever Had Was With Nail Yakupov! w/ Brian Burke

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[@andy42x]

"my favorite memory is scoring 20 hat tricks in a season." Yeah, that probably not the guy for us.

[@MQA-hc1gt]

@MayerBasic yup

[@Uncle_Troy]

Just ask Nail Yakupov if he was the guy for Edmonton!

[@Caps4Life99]

Tbf thats probably almost every draft eligible player when they played in bantam

[@dkiperman]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@frame3139]

No kidding 😂

[@AM-li2if]

Brian Burke drafts players based on whether their dog breed is tough

[@Seraph89_]

It’s been proven the smaller dogs have more testosterone and are more likely to be tough.

[@claytonramsey1092]

that wasn't the point of the question lol

[@AM-li2if]

@@claytonramsey1092 enlighten me

[@claytonramsey1092]

Ask them something different, catch them off guard so you get an answer that actually tells you something

[@universal_cubes]

@@claytonramsey1092 If they have a poodle, it's 100% "Do not Draft"

[@JeffCfreeradiorevolution]

“I don’t have a dog... a have a bear!” Burke “DRAFT HIM”

[@TheYetimachete]

Wish the Oilers put him on their Do Not Draft list too. What a wasted pick.

[@nouh3053]

Imagine having 3 first overall picks in a row and the best player since Gretzky and missing the playoffs

[@Salmaan99]

Most of the Oilers brain trust actually wanted to draft Ryan Murray but the owner/president vetoed that decision. Murray probably still would've been a bust but at least he'd be an NHL player

[@nouh3053]

XBOXRULES last time I checked they still played in the same Era

[@shannondebassige6766]

The next 5 picks were all not worth their draft selection

[@isidro9911]

@XBOXRULES remember when Vancouver won a cup... oh wait they never one. Lol loser!!!

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Burke: "What's your favorite hockey memory?" Nervous player: "Rottweiler." Burke: "Uh, what kind of watch is that?" Player: "My dad's my hero." Burke writes player's name on "Do Not Draft" list.

[@Southboundpachyderm]

LOL this deserves more upvotes.

[@alfie3836]

I love how he doesn't give a f*ck anymore and can just speak his mind. Whether he is correct or not is irrelevant..... it's just entertaining

[@w111w126]

Like Grapes without the personality

[@masondunn1320]

w111w126 This aged

[@ericmaloney3889]

Tomas Vanek was the 2nd guy. Burke brought him up in another interview that was nearly verbatim to this one.

[@sweetswing1]

"What kind of dog do you have?" "I hate dogs, I'm a hamster man Mr. Burke, hamster man all the way." "Welcome to Vancouver."

[@Shroomov]

i legit lol'd on this one

[@DucksUpDogsDownCatsSlide]

lmao

[@jaymoose9313]

Great comment

[@jonathancote9372]

Welcome to Toronto might as well be as funny if not funnier

[@LEV1ATHYN]

Yakupov's attitude landed him from Russia to Canada's Syberia all the way back to the real Syberia again.

[@MrTheWanz]

@Ash Moe hmmmmm, what's worse, the cold? Or knowing that the longest road in your country has the bones of a million people underneath it?

[@taekwondotime]

Is he a bigger flop than Alexander Daigle?

[@VonOzbourne]

@@taekwondotime The answer to that question is an emphatic"Yes."

[@Yomasi]

@@VonOzbourne I doubt that one Daigle was pretty bad

[@vito1785]

@@taekwondotime I think Daigle was a bigger bust, and I don't even think it is close. While they were both 1st overall picks, even going into the draft, the 2012 draft was considered a weak one. On the other had Daigle was considered by most at the time of his draft to be a franchise player. Then add the fact that there really wasn't any franchise player the Oilers missed out on by drafting Yakupov. By drafting Daigle the senators passed on Pronger and Kariya, which makes it even worse.

[@BenDover-vs7ih]

Remember that slogan during this years draft "Fail for Nail". Well little did we know it was "Nail's a Fail" all along.

[@kriszalischuk8089]

turns out it was a google translate error when coming up with the slogan :P

[@jameljoseph9050]

Gretzky: my favorite memory is scoring 600 goals in 50 games as a 16 year old against men. Burke: yeah we want more team oriented players, sorry!

[@mkrchnak5269]

However, with stats like that, one is not much interested in anything but getting him on your team.

[@danielschoeneman1257]

I guarantee Gretzky's favorite memory as a kid is meeting Gordie Howe

[@crbrearley]

Need to give Daniel more thumbs up. That is so true!

[@hu6284]

Obviously he's talking about the average top scorers in lower divisions.

[@jimmyzeke13]

It's like job interviews where they ask you asinine questions that have nothing to do with your skills, qualifications, or experience.

[@redredmon8833]

Professor Fuzzymuffins I've been asked "how many tennis balls can you fit in a limo" like TF is that? I'm a welder by trade

[@jamespartridge395]

@@redredmon8833 just say depends on the limo lol

[@redredmon8833]

James Partridge that's exactly what I said hahah! Is this a stretch? SUV style possibly? Still a curveball I wasn't expecting lol

[@jamespartridge395]

@@redredmon8833 can I cut the tennis balls up or do they have to remain intact. Also can I rip the seats out 😂

[@jamespartridge395]

@@redredmon8833 also a welder but never asked this question found it brilliant haha

[@allenm.5383]

Burke offered to drive Nail Yakupov to the airport right after he interviewed him.

[@theruscan]

I really think in the right organization under the right coach and GM, Yakupov actually could've been a good player. In Edmonton he got rushed playing to his hype with no development which is exactly what he needed. Similar to Justin Schultz. Edmonton management rushed players and crushed a lot of their potential from the start. This is coming from an Oil fan lol

[@Yomasi]

Reminder he also was in st Louis and Colorado

[@johnnapierzynski7496]

@@Yomasi After his development and confidence was already destroyed

[@elquimico177]

RNH and Hall were both put in the same situation and they did pretty fine, so the "Oilers ruined him" narrative needs to stop. guy had a lot of physical talent, but his hockey IQ was totally non-existant and he never worked on his weaknesses. he's just not a good NHL player. hell, even in the KHL he's an absolutely average player there.

[@hortiez]

dont worry the oilers amazimg scouts will draft him

[@Bruh-jr2ep]

What's your thought on Puljujärvi? Is he a bust? Btw I would like to see the interviews he had, I bet he needed a translator😂

[@Devlins10]

The oilers should just fold.

[@tyson5794]

@@Bruh-jr2ep oilers ruined puljus career

[@redber16]

@@Bruh-jr2ep there was a time he was ahead of Matthews in the draft rankings... just watch his under-18 tournament and he looks like the next Malkin. The skill is there, but he isn't consistent enough and to me needs 2nd line ice-time to be successful.

[@Bruh-jr2ep]

@@redber16 Yeah, he was killing it in juniors but as you said he lacked consistency. But now he has matured and plays for Kärpät in Finland and doing pretty good. I hope he makes great comeback.

[@mamaji277]

"I'm not an intimidating guy", oh Brian your just being modest

[@AJR-zg2py]

"Well, I'm not really an intimidating guy..." REALLY BURKIE

[@tbz1551]

It’s called sarcasm

[@juiceybrucey3475]

Can I help u with your tie Gramps?

[@AndreaCooksatHome]

“Trevor Linden is supposed to come in Saturday (before the 1988 NHL draft) for a battery of physical and psychological tests,” recounts Burke, who was then the Canucks assistant general manager. “He calls me Thursday and says ‘Mr. Burke, my dad said I have to call you. I can’t make it.’” “Why?” “Well, it’s branding day at my uncle’s cattle ranch and I have to stay and help.” “What do you have to do?” “When the calves come into the pen I hold them down until they’re branded and castrated.” “I said, ‘Kid, you can skip these tests.’

[@ghostrider-be9ek]

is this true? lol - wouldnt be surprised as linden was from medicine hat AB

[@HISHAM931]

You would think Yakupov would have some level of humility while being interviewed by NHL GM’s. He’s the biggest 1st overall bust in my lifetime. To be honest that whole draft class had a bunch of bums in it.

[@MrJordwalk]

Patrik Stefan was a bigger bust IMHO. I have yet to see a more humiliating series of events than this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5Oln6Zsj7qhZrc

[@jasonjansen9831]

@@MrJordwalk I agree Patrik Stefan has to be the greatest 1st overall bust of all time.

[@graydonkruger8036]

Also if Brian Burke likes a player he’s going to get that player example of the Sedins. Because what if Yakopov had a good interview Brian Burke like them enough to trade for the number one pick and he becomes a Toronto Maple Leaf his career is completely changed.

[@vito1785]

The draft was a weak draft, but there was still some decent players in the top 10. The oilers could really use any one of either Morgan Rielly, Matt Dumba or Hampus Lindholm. Not to mention what ever asset they would have got for trading down. The pick was completely mismanaged, and wasted on a player they didn't need.

[@r.edward5701]

Alexander Daigle. I win

[@rickychardzz]

My best memory was to work my ass off every day and shoot pucks in the net to get 60 goals last season!! Burke: what watch do you have????

[@duckking09]

I'm super curious about the other player now

[@dangrant2994]

Evander Kane

[@KadruH]

Josh Ho-Sang

[@spungoflex3285]

Ovechkin

[@markh.9822]

@@dangrant2994 This is the first thing that came to mind. Dude is a tool.

[@phillipnguyen1178]

@@dangrant2994 kane was drafted in 2009 you idiot

[@No_Fear_33]

Nail Yakupov #KHL now, lol. Could see that coming a mile away!

[@flyinbrian865]

That's what happens when the owner decides who to pick..

[@mathiaskarlsson5402]

We beat canada, we win. We scored more goals, we beat canada so we win

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Mathias Karlsson But historically, you suck.

[@TheBlazersfan22]

@Michael OConnor true but sometimes players in the junior never transition well to the NHL level.

[@judeaberdeen6848]

@@brainwash650 lol no. Has like 9 points this year. Guy has talent but zero work ethic

[@simon-nak8403]

Let say Mario Lemieux's favorite memory had been breaking Lafleur's junior goal record... Burke would have past ? The Yakupov story comes out just because hes a Total bust.

[@SRehill7]

I think when you have proven elite-tier players like Lemieux, you're obviously not going to pass just because of those questions. But when you're faced with players that show up lower in the draft then these questions become more important.

[@davoshaunessy7481]

Hindsight is soooo rarely rwong!!!!!!!

[@TheAlfrulz]

I agree. While it's refreshing to hear someone telling the truth, it still helps his side look good by predicting a future bust. I would like to see some of these people admit to a major mistake. Like "we put Mario Lemieux on our do not draft list, after a poor draft workout." Or "we were totally sold on Dave Chyzowski after interviewing him".

[@deeshmond]

As an Oilers fan, I never wanted us to take Yakupov. Seemed selfish, poor hockey sense, and not what the Oil needed. Hoped we’d take Ryan Murray who is maybe not having the career you’d expect from a #2 pick but it’s gone a hell of a lot better than Yakupov’s!

[@sahilgrewal7509]

that was a poor draft year, not to much talent

[@Airshots22]

"Hoped we’d take Ryan Murray" 👀

[@comic6308]

And that's why he played for 3 teams in 6 years as a first overall pick and hasn't been in the NHL the last 2 years.

[@JinQb]

The other player he’s referring to is probably Thomas Vanek since he’s mentioned his name in other interviews

[@JP_HKY]

I hate how interviews can get like out of hand! It’s crazy!

[@JJJ111JJJ]

If he's saying the Leafs wouldn't have drafted Yakupov at #5 he's lying.

[@JoseRibeiro-jg4qx]

Not really. If a guy clearly has that big of an ego. It’s not a guy you want to coach

[@Krokodilius]

bro relax, he got rielly who is the current longest tenured leaf.

[@haveallbeentaken]

I kind of think the same, but if he was still available at no. 5, you would have had to think why.

[@jtoedrag]

If yakupov was available at 5 that year he would’ve 100% be a leaf same goes for 2,3,4. He was the consensus #1 that year. It’s easy to say now obviously you wouldn’t but that’s why we’re all armchair gms. All I remember is filip forsberg fell that year and then got traded for erat. That’s the most egregious thing of this draft. Speaking in the terms of looking back.

[@santaclausisreal8373]

He said he would have drafted Rielly first overall

[@Awwscrewit]

Looking back at the top 5 in Yakupovs year, Burke stole the draft.

[@tmaytananse6532]

FAVORITE MEMORY --> 4 Unassisted goals. FAVORITE DOG ----> Female Maltese with pink bows on collar. FAVORITE WOMAN ----> Self serving, self absorbed Gold Digger. FAVORITE SEASON ---> The dead of winter. Lots of alone time. FAVORITE SPORT ---> Bodybuilding. FAVORITE RESTAURANT ---> Any Drive Thru FAVORITE CARD GAME --> Solitaire FAVORITE TENNIS MATCH ---> Singles FAVORITE WAY OF SPEAKING --> Monotone FAVORITE OPINION ---> Personal FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT AFTER A GAME ---> Hotel room

[@lucasrozmus9388]

I got s German shepherd. Can you draft me please?

[@zachlindewirth2625]

Daniel Sprong the other one?

[@Yomasi]

Apparently, Tomas Vanek

[@PatrikGluchowski]

Wrong answer!! You’re not drafted.

[@ryans413]

And what did Edmonton do

[@MontyQueues]

funny enough looking back Burke wasn’t playing around when he said, “I had Rielly at 1st.”

[@firecontrol22]

Team, team and team. Hockey is top tier game emphasis on we work together to make a win.

[@ScaryRevenant]

No he’s on every GMs “ do not sign list “

[@smrooke]

To bad Burke wasn’t the Oilers GM back then.

[@rexfordmorgan7552]

Imagine being a grown adult and feeling that other grown adults want to hit a teenager for being snotty. Oh hockey culture.

[@baronbayne9899]

its so rare to hear an actual name given in a video like this..

[@JM-yn8mb]

Only because he's out of the league... He didn't oust the guy who is still playing... Probably Evander Kane or Tyler Seguin lol

[@tylersiertsema1304]

"I won't name one kid because his interview was horrible... but he's still playing" Its a good thing you're not a GM anymore Brian

[@boshyt]

it was johansen pretty sure

[@unclefreddieDied]

That's funny....I don't agree with "naming your favorite hockey memory" as being a tool to see if you have a team first mentality

[@unclefreddieDied]

Though I love Kaapo Kakko... Hughes is definitely more of a team player... Then you got size... Then this and that.... Sure glad I'm not in charge of draft choice!

[@Spot-0n]

@@unclefreddieDied Hughes is pretentious pretending 2 days ago that he'll be 1rst pick. 1rst or 2nd or 50th who cares right? It's all about how your turn out...

[@w111w126]

@Michael OConnor It's a good old boys club, not what you know, it's who you know. Look at his CV and people connected to it. Sedins were his only good move. He's just spouting credential-free pseudo psychobabble.

[@justindelbeau6854]

Smart guy, one of the best in the biz

[@Sinnoh-has-no-fire]

You look at the draft years later just to see yakupov went first , and think‘that guy’ Burke sums it up perfectly.

[@Mike604]

As a Canucks fan, this Nail guy reminds me of Tryamkin

[@IntergalacticInterviews]

Audio mixing on this is awful. RIP headphone users

[@doinky3]

I’d love to know who the other player Burke put on the list is

[@alexrussell3907]

I'm sorry, but what? I am confused about his logic on the questions meant to throw people off. If you are asked what kind of watch or dog you have, wouldn't you just answer truthfully? Not try and come up with a lie that you think they might want to hear? Even though the question is about a watch or a dog?

[@nikantropov3165]

Why am I not surprised lol

[@sjames304]

Brian Burke: "Hey kid..what kind of torture device do you have in your backyard right now?"

[@codfishbricker]

Idk why I love this comment so much

[@sjames304]

@@codfishbricker Because you can actually imagine Burke saying this to someone. I'd bet a lot of money that Brian Burke has a full scale and functioning guillotine in his basement. Nobody in their right mind would bet against that.

[@codfishbricker]

I can see that. He's the kinda guy to make having a guillotine endearing. Like "thanks for the beer and for showing me your guillotine, Burkie. See ya around."

[@sjames304]

@@codfishbricker You got it!!

[@JM-yn8mb]

Talking about Tony DeAngelo

[@shaloon64]

Where is the actual interview

[@biffstrong1079]

There is one interview where he says one of the guys wanted to fight Yakupov. Oh I guess it was Lilles.

[@aceventuraify]

Burke Took a lot of heat at the time for saying he would have taken Rielly first overall and it turns out he was right. I don’t think he was a good GM but I give him a lot of credit on that one.

[@banjo7117]

you already know the other one is Tony Deangelo lol

[@flyinbrian865]

We all know the ending to the YAKUPOV story.

[@BlahBlah-dx1sp]

Lol at putting a 1st overall pick on a "do not draft list". Yes, he was a bust and hindsight is 20/20, but you're insane if you wouldn't draft a projected 1st overall pick in the 7th round.

[@LilWeggies]

Blah Blah yeah but that’s how them old timers are

[@BlahBlah-dx1sp]

@@LilWeggies I mean yes, he can snipe 50 goals a year but his handshake wasn't firm enough to waste a 1st round pick on.

[@ejungleska]

you have to look at team chemistry. If his attitude is all wrong, that's going to have ripple effects.

[@BlahBlah-dx1sp]

@J De paz This isn't debating whether you'd take a player with strong character over another, it's removing someone entirely from your draft board just based on character. You'd be crazy to not draft Yakupov in the 7th round if he was available.

[@eila2088]

Bad character increases chances they are a bust.

[@ryans413]

Then what did Edmonton do lol

[@bluecheese5599]

never heard of nail since the trade

[@llBADSPORTIIV2good4u]

Remember when we thought Yakapov was going to be a Sidney Crosby scoring 30 a year and getting 90+ points lmao

[@Broxty]

What I got from this interview? I just bought my boy a Rottweiler.

[@tommclarty17]

1:00 that’s not a cup of coffee...

[@Vitalbowhunting]

He’s so intimidating lol

[@jordangraff2254]

OMG! Poor Nail! He's such a sweet and genuine person! Always a public favourite in Edmonton! Would always see him here in Vancouver when his team was in.... Great man he is

[@CanadianBongRipper]

the other guy is Tomas Vanek

[@JackChickenwing]

048 "I am not an intimidating guy" 1:27 "I try to catch them out"

[@codyi5232]

The second player he is talking about is Patrick Kane .

[@matthewschwartz2225]

So curious about the second guy.

[@fordprefect4728]

i think it was kessel, I found it funny bc i remember Burke talking badly about phil but went and traded for him from Boston.

[@johno5757]

@@fordprefect4728 I doubt it was him if he traded the world for him lol. He was Toronto GM from 2008-2013 so probably a top prospect from that period. Maybe Evander Kane?

[@fordprefect4728]

@@johno5757 kessel was known before the trade of not being a team guy .

[@johno5757]

@@fordprefect4728 Kane's been accused of the same thing. I just think it's more likely a guy like Kane who has a rep and been traded a couple times, no team Burke's been apart of ever tried to pick up Kane. He traded two 1st rounders for Kessel I doubt he would do that if he thought so low of him.

[@connormitchell8048]

I was thinking Evander Kane when he mentioned that

[@adrianorosato9759]

If only Edmonton put him on the do not draft list lmao

[@curiousbystander9193]

lots of info here in 3 minutes

[@icebreaker1264]

What’s your favourite team memory me scoring 60 goals 😂

[@davoshaunessy7481]

Bobby O4R & Gordie How wood have never played a game apparently ( interview skills vs hockey skills )

[@Enthusiastlist]

the other guy was Thomas Vanek for those that don't know

[@jean-danielboudreau3190]

Wonder who the second guy was, P.K. Subban maybe?

[@Chris_Ireland]

what the hell is a professional questioner?

[@anonykip]

Ok wtf I just realized Yakupov looks like Kevin Hart 😂

[@tbz1551]

Shocker lol Put him on the top ten list of players who didn’t live up to the hype.

[@nakanoyuko]

top one

[@mursuka80]

He has the worst points per game of any number 1 pick ever. He is straight trash.

[@ZyXxOmAn]

It's either him or Stefan for me. Could make an argument for Daigle aswell since he was projected to be the new Gretzky, Lemuix or something

[@mendelsonja]

@@mursuka80 worse points per game than Rick DiPietro? If you mean skaters, how about Chris Phillips? If you mean forwards, Garry Monohan had .381 vs Nail's .389. (admittedly a 12 year career and if you remove the last year it's better). Claude Gauthier never played in the NHL so he had the honors of fewest points for a forward (can't do ppg since you can't divide by 0)

[@maxx6282]

@@MyName_Jeff yeah no the oilers did not ruin him. Look at hall and nuge

[@luisllama16]

i got 3 chihuahuas, can i get on your draft list??

[@patcoughlin1987]

Thomas Vanek was the other I believe

[@scottnordlund8881]

I think the other was Josh Ho-Sang

[@gged]

ken holland seems like he woulda been a good used car salesman hes a magician

[@johnjuhasz3233]

He's on a local hockey focused radio show , half hour chat once a week. Surprise, surprise, he usually makes sense.

[@Sam-2468]

Congrats nail on your nhl career

[@justincase4812]

🖕

[@goaustongoleafs4414]

Lol that poor draft interview was probably Rickard Rakell. Thats why he traded that pick away

[@vonritter4945]

They are hockey players- they should start with something challenging like “what’s your favorite color?” Then who’s your hero.

[@JM-yn8mb]

What type of dogs are you into? *Joe Exotic* : uhhh, wild tigers sir *Burkie* : DRAFT THIS GUY

[@invegapalpiredonevictim5279]

Who was the other worst interview guy? Any guesses?

[@jakeberger4472]

Sidney crosby, guy is full of himself and gloats 24/7, also not very good at hockey. I would say he is about as good as Nazem Kadri maybe worse

[@deeshmond]

Look at the 2012 first round. Edmonton ended up with the two worst players in Yakupov and, later, Griffin Reinhart. Literally anyone else in that round would’ve been better than those two. Goddam our scouting was horrorawful!!!!

[@kpowers9215]

Griffin Reinhardt helped get the islanders barzal and Beauviller, to think the oilers could of had barzal and mcdavid in the same draft

[@snowyrain5730]

And that was the right call. #1 overall, and he plays a few seasons in the NHL averaging 25 points per season then bolts back to Russia. Dodged a bullet.

[@lowbridgehit]

Dog neutered or studded out? Answer, neutered. DO NOT DRAFT LIST!

[@LJ-zr2vp]

I wish the oilers put nail yakupov on the do not draft list

[@2011Oly]

Imagine if Burke asks big buff who is your hero and he says his mom and Burke puts him on the do not draft list. His mom was a single mom and got him to the NHL

[@BruceWayne-kw4zx]

The politics in hockey smh

[@w111w126]

Hell, you should see it in midget and bantams.

[@bubudok49]

I wonder who the other player with the bad interview was...

[@davoshaunessy7481]

Wonder if super Mario had all the answers @ 18 ???????????

[@cw9515]

Welcome to the Penguins Burkey

[@djphlange]

Maybe we should tell the players to not focus on the media and interviews and focus more on hockey

[@mirraco323]

Goddman I wonder who the other “do not draft list” player was! My guess is Josh Ho-Sang. I remember when the Isles picked him, in the interview right after he straight up denied he had any attitude problem and you could just tell he was an arrogant twat who would be nothing but problems. Look where we are at now!

[@heineken4dinner]

Brian Burke with the 10th pick in 2015 : I don’t like this Mcdavid kid, put him on the do not draft list

[@dontpokethebear4190]

I want to know if a player shoots right or left.....Good at face offs and really hates losing. There you go,

[@joshbutterwick221]

That Kid was a bust back in The OHL in SARNIA Glachenyuk was a big reason why Yakupov was even looked at