Will this be the NHL trade deadline that finally sees the frustratingly unsuccessful Edmonton Oilers core broken up? It doesn't sound likely, despite the presence of former Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, who proved during his time in Bean Town that he wasn't afraid of a big move or three. But most of the major trades Chiarelli could make sometime between now and the deadline probably involve too much salary and too many contract years to get done in the next few days. That being said, one guy whose name hasn't popped up much in connection with Oilers trade talks, but who is now "available," is Nail Yakupov.
According to ESPN/TSN NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, Yakupov has been placed on the trade block by Chiarelli and "could move before Monday," though LeBrun added that he believes it's another of those deals that won't be consummated until the summer. The 22-year-old former first-overall pick is in the first year of an optimistic two-year bridge deal that carries a $2.5 million cap hit. Yakupov has long been one of the most divisive players the Oilers have ever drafted or acquired. He's as talented as they come, but he also fits the NHL's most derided player archetype - a scorer who can't consistently score.
This season, Yakupov has just 5 goals and 15 points, bringing his career total to 47 goals over most of four professional seasons. That's a mediocre total over a two year span for some of the league's better players.
What Oilers fans won't want to hear is this - yes, Yakupov has the talent to turn his career around, but that almost assuredly won't come in Edmonton. A change of scenery is best for Yakupov and its best for an Oilers team that has already developed a number of other young forwards. Yakupov's biggest and most meaningful contribution to the franchise should come in the form of the picks and/or prospects Chiarelli can get in exchange for him either now, or in the summer.
But with the Oilers confirmed sellers ahead of Monday's deadline, Yakupov isn't the only player potentially to be dealt. Winger Teddy Purcell and defenseman Justin Schultz both remain "priorities" for Chiarelli to jettison, according to LeBrun.
Schultz has worn out his welcome in Edmonton and is a guy LeBrun is hearing other teams still believe can be saved if he's moved to the right situation. Purcell is in the final year of a three-year deal that carries a $4.5 million cap hit. As an older guy (30) on a team looking to get younger at forward, Purcell's an almost perfect rental player for a playoff team that either can't meet or is unwilling to pay the price for an Andrew Ladd or Loui Eriksson.
