The Wasted Potential Of Nail Yakupov

[@cliffbowls]

The real problem was thinking he was that good, he wasn’t, he was just physically ready sooner than most of his age group. I remember hearing at the time the oilers scouting staff had Yakupov ranked 7th in Ontario. But apparently the owner was afraid to pass on a potential superstar.

[@gkarenko9593]

For years, it felt like the Oilers scouts just picked the player everyone else was talking about in the first round and couldn't make any decent picks after that. With Yakupov, it felt like they got set up.

[@dirtydangler]

scoring 18 goals as a rookie and not good? ok buddy

[@Slypooch]

We went from the worst draft pick two the two best players in the league today. So not bad

[@bill649]

People overlook that Sarina produced the second biggest bust of that same draft with Alex Galchenyuk at 3rd overall

[@FREEFREEalexstein]

I remember ' Fail for Nail'

[@jaylenbarnes2.079]

I'm definitely subscribing; I'm loving these videos

[@SynoGG]

Welcome. And thank you! Means a lot

[@BayBye2011]

all the talent none of the heart

[@SynoGG]

If he actually worked on his issues, who knows where he would be down.. Shame really

[@FirewagonHockey]

@@SynoGG It goes to show that the 2012 draft could've been much better but there really wasn't any excuse for him and Griffin Reinhart. At least Ryan Murray's career was derailed by injuries and Galchenyuk (disregarding his DUI charge last offseason) could've been good had coaches used him better after being traded from the Habs.

[@AW-xv7dq]

Or brains

[@sacredalien]

@@FirewagonHockey Galchenyuk was given more than enough chances. I think what he did showed his true colours. He could be the best player in the league but what he did is unacceptable

[@tobiasfrost86]

​@@SynoGGhe was lazy

[@keatonjones4252]

I always looked at yakapov as a guy where everyone misunderstood his cocky attitude for just betting on himself that got lost in translation. There were definitely things he said I can't defend like the interview with Burke. I wish he worked out but I understand why he didnt

[@SynoGG]

This is very true, definitely feels like a case of lost in translation, or him not being able to get the idea in his head across in a professional manner

[@brianoconnor5972]

i mean, he's a PPG in the KHL this season which is still high level performance

[@alexpayne1364]

I feel like u could make a great history and troubles of patty Laine video

[@SynoGG]

Will look into it, thanks for the suggestion!

[@mrfake675]

His brain couldn't process the NHL. I think the massive concussion he got in juniors probably scrambled his brains at the worst possible time. If your brains get scrambled you want it to happen after it's been wired for a specific job.

[@joelgrosschmidt5507]

yeah honestly the vibe i get from his whole persona is he actually has a bit of a mental problem thats probably holding him back. The incontrollable emotions displays, the boasting, the weird way his body seemed to be nhl level but his brain didnt on the decisions...dude was probably scrambled like you say

[@ThatsAPaddlin88]

That first round in 2012 draft was horrible

[@NickDunner]

If he was a superstar Edmonton could have had a cup by now

[@EdisonG_HouseMusic]

When I saw that interview after they beat Canada, I was like “nope”, this kid isn’t going to be a good player. Even with talent, you could tell just from that arrogance that he would be a cancer in the locker room.

[@yadamsurensh4003]

Leave Yakupov along..he is in KHL at home in Omsk Avangard one of championship contenders best sniper of team…very happy and relaxed…away from crazy canadian media and fans…in Russia things more slow and relaxed 😎

[@jon8004]

Morgan REALLY!

[@jesse1381]

Great example of a guy whose lack of work ethic and problematic personality outweighed his talent and skill. With a better attitude and a more adaptable mindset he would've actually had potential as a player. Yakupov just mentally wasn't in the game and wasn't a coachable player. He wasn't willing to adapt or do the extra things that you have to do to be successful.

[@earthchompz]

I wonder if he thought up his Russia is better than Canada at hockey statement as he packed his bags heading for Canada's hockey system as soon as he was eligible? The Russian star that was just alright here and couldn't hack it at all in the NHL.

[@SynoGG]

I believe it was a case of lost in translation. Don't know for sure of course

[@mattturner3696]

Yak had no hockey sense. He had no ability to work with his line mates. He’d get the puck and then start skating around like he was being chased by a swarm of bees.

[@tylergardner2598]

Burke knew how this was gonna turn out 😂

[@pantsumonster]

Burke didn’t know how his pedo son would turn out

[@andrewcarroll7641]

Yak has an unreal slap shot. So do Al MacInnis + Brett Hull but both those MEN took it upon themselves to round out their games and prove themselves each and every time they got on the ice. Al Mac was suppose to max out as Fulton Reid on the Power Play. He flat out could not skate when he got to the NHL but he worked his ASS off and became a Norris Trophy winner. Brett Hull didn't even get drafted into Canadian Major Junior Hockey and he ripped his way to 700+ goals in every way you could think of, outscored his dad in the Show who is Hockey Royalty & won 2 cups along the way. #NotTooShabby I guess following in your famous father's footsteps doesn't translate to instant success in hockey like it does in the NBA #Brony #LeBumBlames or Federal Politics #JustineTrudeau. #Nepotism You wanna climb the Hockey Mountain, you gotta put in that WORK. Yak didn't want to put in the WORK.

[@SynoGG]

He had/has an unreal slap shot because that is the only thing he likes working on😂. But on a more serious note, I agree, he didn't want to push himself and put in the work on the aspects of his game that were lacking, and ultimately that led to his downfall. Just because you have one good aspect of the game doesn't mean you should disregard other aspects of the game. Yakupov probably has the most turnovers in NHL history; his hockey IQ and defense just weren’t there.

[@levth01sct]

Yakupov had potential? Not really. His OHL numbers were good, but not particularly impressive. It is no surprise that Yak turned out to be one of the biggest draft busts in the history of professional sports.

[@R7U1LE]

Galchenyuk next

[@MightyGoldCR]

8:15 Morgan Really

[@mattturner3696]

Morgan Really? Really?

[@Roryz1]

I hate being this guy but "Morgan REALLY" solid video otherwise

[@sublimemediocrity]

Still beating the guy down 13 years after getting drafted. Still made fun of for a very Russian frank response...14 years ago from a cocky teenager with poor English? Pathetic video.

[@frankfossella6863]

What a waste 🗑 of a career .

[@hammer844]

Guy was always a clown.

[@HinkHall42069]

Boring

[@bobbyboucher-k9t]

Yeah but edmonton florida and buffalo tanked to get cups lol they should be revised, and vagas and seattle should be redrafted they clearly cheated

[@janzkee]

sounds a lot like bedard😂

[@SynoGG]

Was planning on making a separate video about Bedard and what’s going on with him. But Bedard is putting the work in, unlike Yak

[@yaro-8]

sounds nothing like Bedard..humble kid, team player, generational talent who handles himself very humbly and shows respect to league and towards other players..playing on the crappy crappy chicago team..you re 100 miles off

[@SynoGG]

Bedard is just in bit of a slump, with constant line changes, and lets face it, not the best team in the world

[@warmike]

​@@SynoGGthere needs to be a rule that teams that draft first overall can't get top 3 picks for three next drafts, two next drafts for second overall and the next draft for third overall. Then rising stars wouldn't have to start their careers in a team that's tanking, and it would make tanking less advantageous in general.

[@jesse1381]

Bedard's rookie season is already miles better than Yakupov's. Bedard in 2 seasons is likely to have more points than Yakupov had in his whole 6-year career. Bedard is humble and has an incredible work ethic. Yakupov was not and did not. The two are nothing alike on and off the ice.