FEATURE | Nail Yakupov, Possible Habs Trade Target?

by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

After producing 101 points during his rookie campaign with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, scoring 49 goals, while being named the CHL Rookie of the Year, Nail Yakupov was on his way towards a high ranking from NHL Scouting. He followed up his rookie season by scoring 31 goals and 39 assists in just 42 games, while being named the consensus No. 1 overall prospect entering the NHL Draft, ahead of Ryan Murray, Mikhail Grigorenko, Alex Galchenyuk and Morgan Rielly.

With the first selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers were proud to select, from the Sarnia Sting, Nail Yakupov, adding to their list of forward talent with their third consecutive first overall selection (Taylor Hall 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2011.) While many thought the Oilers were foolish to pass on Everett Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray, Edmonton just could not pass on another elite point producing forward. Murray was selected second overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by Yakupov’s teammate Alex Galchenyuk being selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens (which we’re all very happy about!)

Nail Yakupov, Right Wing, Edmonton Oilers
October. 6, 1993 | Nizhnekamsk, Russia
5-11, 195 lbs. | Shoots Left |
2015-’16 Stats: 60 GP, 8 G, 15 A, 23 Pts

Oilers fans would have to wait to see Yakupov take the ice, as the 2012-’13 was cut short due to a lockout. During the lockout however, Yakupov suited up for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL, scoring nine goals, while adding nine assists in 22 games. He was also named Captain of Team Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championship winning a bronze medal, scoring three goals and adding five assists.

The lockout ultimately concluded, allowing Yakupov to make his NHL debut on January 20^th, against the Vancouver Canucks, where he finished the game pointless, and a minus-2 with one shot. He scored his first career NHL goal during his second game of the season against the San Jose Sharks, but once again the Oilers would not be victorious.

During Yakupov’s third NHL game, he caught the attention of the entire league, scoring his second goal of the season, with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation against the Los Angeles Kings. It was a goal many believe to be the biggest of his career, one that was debated heavily afterwards for the magnitude of his celebration. Yakupov skated towards center, dropping to his knees across the ice, a celebration resembling that of Theo Fleury’s overtime goal during the 1991 playoffs.

Yakupov finished his rookie season playing all 48 games, scoring 17 goals, adding 14 assists for 31 points. He capped off the regular season with his first career hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks, finishing the season with a 21 per cent shooting percentage.

His next three seasons however, would not be as exhilarating, or that extraordinary. Yakupov scored just 33 goals, and add 47 assists (80 points) during his next 204 games, with a rating of minus-84. He was involved in multiple trade rumors involving a variety of teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, who drafted his junior team linemate, Alex Galchenyuk.

Nail Yakupov carries a $2.5 million cap hit for one more season, after that, he’ll become a restricted free agent. His contract does not include any movement clauses, so the Oilers are free to do what they wish with him, if they consider him unessential. With the recent addition of fourth overall selection Jesse Puljujarvi to their young group of forwards, Yakupov may now, more than ever, find himself on the trade block. Puljujarvi recently signed his entry level contract with the Oilers, which includes $2.5M in performance bonuses for a $3.425 average annual value, so it seems they’re exploring inserting him into the lineup for the 2016-2017 regular season.

Yakupov and Galchenyuk were a threatening duo in the Ontario Hockey League as members of the Sarnia Sting, so you’ve got to wonder, could their junior success together continue at the NHL level? With Galchenyuk now cemented as the Canadiens number one centre, and very much comfortable playing alongside Gallagher and Pacioretty, I’d highly doubt the coaching staff would break up that chemistry.

Having Galchenyuk in the locker room however, could do great things for Yakupov, even if he’s not on his line, having a friend close could positively benefit his game. One option would be to pair Yakupov with a player who can play a strong two-way game, such as Tomas Plekanec, where he could learn defensive responsibilities, adding recent addition Alexander Radulov to the other wing to complete the line.

The Canadiens are presently extremely close to the cap with only $855,000 in cap space remaining, so a move would have to be made to accommodate Yakupov’s contract, but it doesn’t seem like it would take much to acquire him from the Oilers. Edmonton currently has $9.2M in cap space available.

I will not speculate on the players who could be moved to make this trade happen, as it could very well be a prospect, roster player etc, but don’t get your hopes up that it would be someone such as centre David Desharnais.

Training camp is quickly approaching, and this could be the best time to make a deal happen, providing the players maximum time to form chemistry. Yakupov has very good offensive upside, and has the ability to play either wing, increasing his value in the top-9. Perhaps the Oilers organization is just not the place he needs to be to showcase his abilities, especially with all the other young talent currently in their system.

The 2016-’17 Montreal Canadiens will look very different than what it did last season, and the addition of Yakupov could very well be a high reward situation if they did make a deal.

So what do you think Habs fans? Should the Canadiens take a chance on the former first overall pick?