The St. Louis Blues announced Friday evening that they have acquired 2012 first overall pick, Nail Yakupov from the Edmonton Oilers. The Blues send forward Zach Pochiro to Edmonton as well as a conditional 2017 third round draft pick. However, if Yakupov scores at least 15 regular season goals, then the Blues will retain their 2017 pick, and instead give up a second round draft pick in 2018.
At 23 years of age, Yakupov has spent four seasons in the NHL, recording 50 goals, 61 assists, and 111 points in 252 career games. Last season with the Oilers, he dressed in 60 games logging eight goals, 15 assists, and 23 points. Before his time in the NHL, Yakupov spent two years in the Ontario Hockey League and one year in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Yakupov is owed $2.5 million in the final year of his contract before becoming a restricted free agent entering the 2017-2018 season.
“I think when you’re taken that high in the draft, sometimes a change of scenery allows you just to settle into the player you can become,” General Manager Doug Armstrong said in a media conference call following the announcement. “We just think he’s gonna be a good player, obviously he has skill to compliment our group.”
Rumors of the Oilers shopping Yakupov had been swirling in recent days, and he was fully aware that his time in Edmonton may be coming to a close.
“For the last couple days there were a lot of rumors and I was expecting something, but I didn’t expect it was going to be St. Louis.” Yakupov said following the trade. “I think it’s a really good move for me and I’m gonna be playing for one of the best teams in the league.”
Yakupov is set to join the team this weekend, and will hit the ice on Monday, just two days before the start of the season. With little time to get acclimated with his new team, he says he is ready to go.
“I wasn’t just sitting on the couch doing nothing in Edmonton, you know, I’ve been practicing here and played some games too,” Yakupov said. “I think I’m in good shape, I’m gonna be there tomorrow and still have a few days to get used to everything and meet the players, and you know, go from there.”
With this trade, the Blues final roster is starting to come to fruition as the start of the regular season draws near. Roster cuts were announced earlier on Friday as five players were sent to American Hockey League Affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The Blues also learned last week that the return of Vladimir Sobotka will no longer be happening due to contract complications with the KHL.
The Blues will open the season on the road against their division rival, the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, October 12th.
