Edmonton Oilers’ forward Nail Yakupov missed the team practice on Tuesday with what is being called a “banged up ankle or foot” according to head coach Dallas Eakins.

Eakins did not disclose when the injury occurred but stated that the ankle was “tender enough that he couldn’t practice.” The Oilers bench boss went on to say that Yakupov would have the foot re-evaluated on Wednesday.

The young Russian has 4 goals and 5 assists in 23 games this season and has spent the better part of his second NHL season being the centre of many trade rumors surrounding the Oilers.

After a slow start, Yakupov may have found his scoring touch after potting 3 goals in his last 7 games to go along with 3 assists during that span.

After an ugly war of words between the player and the coach that was aired through the media, Yakupov has seen an increase in his ice-time and arguably as a result, his production has increased.

The former first overall draft pick of the Oilers led the team in scoring last year with 17 goals in the abbreviated 48-game regular season, his first in the NHL. He came up short in winning the Calder Trophy despite putting up 31 points last season.

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