On this day in 2016, the Edmonton Oilers trade Nail Yakupov to the St. Louis Blues

On this day in 2016, the Edmonton Oilers traded forward Nail Yakupov, their first overall pick in the 2012 draft, to the St. Louis Blues.

Things were dicing up quite nicely for the Oilers in 2012, other than the fact they were in the midst of the decade the darkness and hadn’t seen the playoffs in five years… however, they were on route to another first-round selection in the prestigious NHL draft for the third year in a row.

Back in 2012, the Oilers were in the midst of a decade-long playoff drought, but their fortunes began to turn in the post-season. They were on track for their third consecutive first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft.

In 2010 the Oilers landed Taylor Hall as the first overall selection, and the following year Ryan Nugent-Hopkins joined the ranks. 2012 seemed no different, the Oilers were on route straight for the highly favoured first pick, Yakupov.

In the 2011-12 season leading up to the draft, Yakupov’s performance with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting was electric, posting 49 goals and 101 points. There was a looming consensus that the 18-year-old perhaps may be a potential successor to Alexander Ovechkin, showcasing speed, skill, and an infectious enthusiasm for the game.

Then it happened. The Oilers drafted Yakupov as the first overall pick in 2012. Then it backfired.

Predictions began to swirl around the hockey market, envisioning Yakupov’s rookie campaign: “Yakupov will win the Calder Memorial Trophy,” “Yakupov will score 50 goals in his second season,” and “Yakupov will lead the Oilers back to the Stanley Cup Finals within four years.” As it turns out, those predictions didn’t age overly well.

His inaugural season in orange and blue was within the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, held promise. Yakupov netted 17 goals and 31 points, tying Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau for first amongst rookies in points. It was also the same year the memorable ‘Yak Slide’ took place, when he scored the game-tying goal on January 24, 2013 against the Los Angeles Kings.