Edmonton Oilers

Whatever Happened to Former-Oilers 1st-Rounder Nail Yakupov?

Nail Yakupov was Edmonton Oilers’ first selection of the 2012 NHL entry draft. He eventually left the NHL. Whatever happened to Yakupov?

by
Old Prof
December 12, 2024

When Nail Yakupov was selected first overall in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, expectations were sky-high. Fans and scouts all believed the young Russian winger had the potential to be a dynamic star in the NHL. But despite flashes of brilliance, his career never reached the elite heights many had envisioned. So, what happened to Yakupov, and where is he now?

Yakupov’s Early Promise But Unmet Expectations

Yakupov’s rookie season in 2012-13 was full of promise. In just 48 games, he scored 17 goals and posted 31 points, showing off his natural scoring touch. However, his success didn’t translate to long-term consistency. His following seasons with the Oilers were a series of ups and downs. He showed flashes of his skill—scoring 14 goals in the 2014-15 season. However, his overall impact was limited by defensive struggles and a lack of development into a complete player. By the end of his time in Edmonton, it became clear that Yakupov wasn’t the mega-star the Oilers had hoped for when they drafted him.

In 2016, after four disappointing seasons in Edmonton, Yakupov was traded to the St. Louis Blues. Perhaps a change of scenery would help unlock his potential. Unfortunately, his performance remained lackluster, and he was quickly moved again. This time to the Colorado Avalanche picked him up for the 2017-18 season. His time with the Avalanche was short-lived.

As a result, Yakupov’s NHL career ended too soon with 62 goals and 74 assists in 350 games. In reality, his play was a far cry from the expectations set for him as a first-overall pick.

Yakupov Found His Way Home to the KHL

After leaving the NHL, Yakupov found new life in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he joined SKA St. Petersburg. He enjoyed some success, particularly in the 2018-19 season, scoring 23 goals and adding ten assists in 47 games. However, his time in the KHL has been inconsistent. Since his strong debut year, Yakupov has struggled to maintain elite production. Even in Russia he’s had only two seasons out of the past eight in which he scored double-digit goals.

Most recently, Yakupov played for multiple KHL teams, including Avangard Omsk and Neftekhamsk Neftekhimik. In the 2023-24 season, he posted eight goals and 11 assists in 31 games with Neftekhamsk before moving to Kunlun Red Star. While not spectacular, his journey in the KHL has allowed him to keep his career afloat. That said, it’s evident that the player who once intrigued fans in Edmonton never reached his early promise.

Nail Yakupov was once the Edmonton Oilers’ first-round draft pick.

Yakupov Reminds Fans About How Hockey Futures Can Change

Now 31, Yakupov has expressed a desire to return to the NHL, and unsubstantiated rumors have swirled about him seeking a professional tryout (PTO) with an NHL team. However, given his struggles to stay consistent in the KHL, it seems unlikely. While he’s had a solid professional career, he’s never found the form that made him the top pick.

His time in the KHL has shown that he can still play at a high level. But it’s hard to ignore that his NHL career didn’t quite live up to expectations. The question is whether a team will give him another shot or if his time in the top North American league has come to a permanent close. Probably the answer is Nyet.

In any case, Yakupov’s story is a reminder of how quickly careers can change in the NHL and how even the brightest prospects can sometimes fall short of their immense potential. What comes next for him could be anyone’s guess, but his legacy as the first overall pick will remain a part of hockey history, for better or worse. Edmonton fans likely believe the latter.