SEARCH
                 


MARKERZONE  |  NHL  |  NEWS

Devan Dubnyk on Former 1st Overall Pick and Teammate, 'this guy was an idiot'


PUBLICATION
Jon
November 14, 2022  (2:05 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY



Devan Dubnyk joined Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor on Monday and had strong words for his former teammate, Nail Yakupov. Gregor asked the retired goalie about the worst teammate he ever had with regards to taking high shots in practice.

Without hesitation, Dubnyk offered Yakupov's name.
Dubnyk: Oh, Nail Yakupov. This guy was an idiot. A complete idiot. I tried to explain to him. We were doing a low-drive from the corner and he's zipping these things past my ear because he's trying to hit the elbow. And I tried to explain to him: "You realize there's three outcomes here. You miss the net, you score, or you hit me in the ear. I hate all three of those. If you want to practice this shot, go do it on the other end."

Gregor: Did he ever get it?
Dubnyk: Obviously not. He's nowhere to be found, so I don't think he hit the elbow too often.

Yakupov lasted a whole six NHL seasons despite being drafted 1st overall in 2012 before returning home to Russia. In 350 games with the Oilers, Blues and Avalanche, Yakupov scored just 136 points (62g, 74a) with a -81 rating. He holds the distinction of being the biggest draft bust of the 2010s and arguably this century.