Former Oilers star Nail Yakupov signs with KHL's Kunlun Red Star
Nail Yakupov, the former first overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers, is set to continue his professional hockey career far from the NHL's limelight.
Yakupov has inked a one-year deal with the KHL's Kunlun Red Star, officially quashing any lingering speculation about a potential NHL comeback.
Recently, Yakupov was seen training alongside notable NHL talents like Andrei Svechnikov and Matvei Michkov. These sightings, coupled with his cryptic Instagram comments, fueled rumors of his return to the North American ice. One such hint was his Instagram comment:
However, these hopes have been laid to rest with his latest contract signing.
At 30 years old, Yakupov's journey through professional hockey has been tumultuous. After a promising start with the Oilers where his initial performance dazzled fans, his numbers began to taper off. The Oilers eventually traded him to the St. Louis Blues, and after a brief stint with the Colorado Avalanche, Yakupov exited the NHL. His record stood at 350 games, with 62 goals and 136 total points.
Transitioning back to the KHL, Yakupov found a resurgence in his scoring ability, albeit in a league known for lower scoring. His time in the KHL hasn't been without its challenges, particularly due to injuries which have hindered his consistency. With this new contract, Yakupov faces a season laden with expectations and the pressure to demonstrate that his elite scoring touch remains intact.
While some fans might dream of what could have been had Yakupov's NHL journey taken a different trajectory, his current path highlights a player determined to forge success on his own terms. This season with Kunlun Red Star offers him another chance to prove his critics wrong and showcase the talent that once made him a first overall draft pick.
Source: Jesse Courville-Lynch on X
Yakupov reportedly signing with Kunlun Red Star (KHL)
| POLL | ||
Is Nail Yakupov a bust draft pick in your opinion? | ||
| Yes, didn't have a good career | 31 | 91.2 % |
| No, he was a good player | 3 | 8.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
