Yakupov publicly criticizes the Oilers and coaching staff

Former first overall pick Nail Yakupov was a guest on the 'Dropping the Gloves' podcast this week and gave some direct criticism about his short stint with the Edmonton Oilers.

Yakupov told co-hosts John Scott and Tim Dubya that it was difficult to adjust to having a new coach almost every season, and trying to learn new systems each year as a result. Yakupov specified that he loved being coached by Ralph Krueger, but absolutely did not get along with Dallas Eakins.

"Yakupov said it was a challenge to have a new coach every year, which made it hard to built momentum in systems, chemistry, and confidence.

He loved Ralph Krueger.

He did not get along with Dallas Eakins."

Yakupov said it was a challenge to have a new coach every year, which made it hard to built momentum in systems, chemistry, and confidence.

He loved Ralph Krueger.

He did not get along with Dallas Eakins.#LetsGoOilers� Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) September 5, 2023

Just before the start of the 2016-17 season, Yakupov's 4 year tenure with the Oilers organization came to an end. After being traded from the Oilers, Yakupov went on to play one year with each of the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche before leaving the NHL for the KHL in 2018.

Yakupov said that in his experience with the Blues and Avalanche, the culture was significantly different and that the teams were wanting to win, adding that there was confidence in those two teams that the Oilers lacked.

"When he got to STL, and then COL the next year, Yakupov said he saw a substantial difference in culture and attitude toward winning.

There was a confidence that the Blues and Avs had that was missing in EDM. Not "Will we make playoffs?" but "How far will we go?"

While it's extremely unlikely that we'll every see Yakupov ever return to North America, it's interesting to hear his perspective on his time in the NHL, and why perhaps his career never met the expectations of a first overall pick.

When he got to STL, and then COL the next year, Yakupov said he saw a substantial difference in culture and attitude toward winning.

There was a confidence that the Blues and Avs had that was missing in EDM. Not "Will we make playoffs?" but "How far will we go?"� Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) September 5, 2023

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Some exciting Nathan MacKinnon news has dropped and we couldn't be happier for him

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