Burke: Yakupov's Draft Interview Worst 'I've ever had in my life'

The 2012 draft was more wide-open than most, as there was no consensus top couple of players. Burke, who was serving as Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, held the fifth overall pick. The club selected defenseman Morgan Rielly, whom it had No. 1 on its draft board.

 

While discussing how the draft unfolded, Burke made it clear that he wasn't going to take Yakupov, even if the Russian winger fell into his lap.

 

"We weren't going to take him. His draft interview was the worst interview I've ever had in my life. Terrible," Burke said on Monday's episode of the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast.

 

When asked why the interview went so poorly, Burke did not hold back.

 

"He was defiant, obnoxious, and sullen," he continued. "John Lilley, one of our scouts ... almost fought him in the interview, so it was not a good interview."

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1969942