As we all know, the Edmonton Oilers thought that Nail Yakupov would be the next big thing for the team. We hear it year in and year out that the first-round pick will be the next great, then they fall on their faces. This seems to be the case with Yakupov, who was supposed to be a Russian saving grace for the team, as the right winger’s performance has dramatically declined.
Because of this, it is going to be Todd McLellan’s way or the highway for Yakupov. That means, if he doesn’t improve this year, he will never get the chance, and Yakupov will be sent packing out of Edmonton.