Now that Nail Yakupov is a free man, getting dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the St. Louis Blues, more information has dropped on the skilled Russian’s time in The Big E.
According to Darren Dreger of TSN.ca, Yakupov requested a trade from Edmonton on multiple occasions. A trade request made in March was made public, so it’s no surprise to see Yakupov was anxious to move on from the Oilers, who drafted him first overall in 2012.
https://twitter.com/NicholsOnHockey/status/785939940274077696
I wouldn’t go as far and call the situation toxic, but it wasn’t ideal for Yakupov. Edmonton was loaded with forward talent in top-six roles and with his game never really taking a step up from his rookie season, Yakupov wasn’t given big opportunities with the Oilers. St. Louis is a great place for a change of scenery for the 23-year-old.
Yakupov was a wanted man in a trade for a reason. Igor Eronko of Sport-Express talked with Yakupov’s father, who told him the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Dallas Stars were also interested in acquiring the rebound candidate. There’s no doubting Yakupov has talent, he just hasn’t been able to harness it in Edmonton.
Father of Nail Yakupov told @Sport_BO Blackhawks, Ducks and Stars were the frontrunners for his son, Blues came up just before the trade
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) October 10, 2016
Again, Yakupov moving on was the best thing for his career. He was never getting a legitimate chance as a top-six forward in Edmonton – and while that’s not guaranteed in St. Louis, Yakupov gets a fresh start away from the Oilers and their usual sinking ship. Demanding a trade multiple times sometimes is a reasonable request.
