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Uh oh, people are already calling Yakupov a “prima donna”

Nail Yakupov

Nail Yakupov #64 of the Edmonton Oilers clowns around for the media at the 2012 NHLPA rookie showcase at the MasterCard Centre on August 28, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. (August 27, 2012 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Russian players frequently find themselves being labeled “enigmatic” even if they do their best with the press, but look out if they have a frostier relationship with the media.

Edmonton Oilers prospect Nail Yakupov didn’t grant interviews after Russian advanced to the World Junior Championships semifinal round thanks to a 4-3 shootout win against Switzerland on Wednesday.

The top pick of the 2012 NHL Draft likely chose to avoid microphones because of the uproar over his comments about Team Canada being “dirty,” but that didn’t stop many journalists from slamming him for his Q & A aversion.

The Edmonton Journal’s David Staples collects the highlights, which include:


  • Vancouver Sun columnist Cam Cole validating his “prima donna” assumption.
  • The Journal’s Jim Matheson claiming that the “kid needs a wake-up call.”
  • The Edmonton Sun’s Terry Jones thinks Yakupov is “making people wonder on and off the ice.”

Staples also notes that there was fallout to the fallout, with some claiming that xenophobia was involved and others saying they’ll just worry about his on-ice results.

The article also points to some interesting fan reactions, with Michael Parkatti’s Tweet being among the most interesting.

While other young Oilers are generating glowing praise, Yakupov is seemingly becoming a divisive force before he plays his first NHL minute.