Former Edmonton Oilers first overall pick Nail Yakupov hits rock bottom
There was once a time where Nail Yakupov had so much potential for the Edmonton Oilers but it all went wrong. It appears to be now getting worse in the KHL.
Former first overall pick of the Edmonton OIlers in 2012 appears to be getting ready to make a return to hockey, but it doesn't appear to be in the NHL. Nail Yakupov appears to have signed a contract with the Kunlun Red Star in the KHL. This will mark the 7th straight season he plays in the KHL, as clearly there is still no team in the NHL that has any interest in his services.
Multiple sources have been confirming that Nail Yakupov is very close to signing this deal in the KHL and it finally came true.
The last time that Nail Yakupov played in the NHL was with the Colorado Avalanche in 2017-18. He played 58 games in his final NHL season, collecting a measly 16 points. It was slightly better for Yakupov in the KHL last season as he scored 19 points in 31 games with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.
Will Nail Yakupov prove in his 7th KHL season that he is finally ready to ready to return to the NHL one day?
Only time will tell but if history proves anything, it will not be an easy task for him.
Source:
Jesse-Courville Lynch on X
Source: HockeyDB
Nail Yakupov Stats
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 13 | 202 ANSWERS Former Edmonton Oilers first overall pick Nail Yakupov hits rock bottom Will Nail Yakupov ever play in the NHL again? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 11.4 % |
| No | 179 | 88.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||