Joined: Feb. 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Guess it depends on whether you believe Yakupov still has a relatively high ceiling despite lack of evidence after 4 years. Rumour out there was that his current value was a 3rd round pick so that shows you how much his stock has fallen. A 3rd round pick is also what PIT got got Beau Bennett (another failed to launch high 1st rounder reclamation project). With increased ice time and better line mates maybe he starts to produce offensively, mainly due to his good one-timer, but he is inconsistent, weak defensively and is a terrible away from the puck so doesn’t fit in a bottom six role and hasn’t produced like a top six player. If you were being optimistic on his future maybe you give up 2nd second round picks. This is what BOS gave up for Brett Connolloy who put up similar numbers over a similar time span after also being a high first rounder for whom expectations where unmet. In this case, Hansen and a 2nd is fair value as I see Hansen being flipped to a contender for a 2nd near the deadline (this one or next). That said, I'd prefer the two picks and an open spot for a UFA to Yakupov.