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This tweet in from TSN’s Darren Dreger: “Let’s not forget about Nail Yakupov. Oilers were busy yesterday moving out Purcell and Schultz. Seems to be developing interest in Yak.”

And Sportsnet’s Mark Spector added: “With Purcell’s RW spot open next to Hall, Draisaitl, Kassian gets spot tonight. That’s a tell on Yakupov’s standing w/I org…IMO Oilers ready to move on from Yakupov. Would move now for pick. Chiarelli knows he won’t win this deal for former No. 1.”

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My take

First off, it might well be worth noting that as far back as March 2014 Dreger ripped Yakupov and said it would be unlikely he’d be back with the Oilers for the 2014-15 season: “I would say it’s unlikely that he’s an Edmonton Oiler next season,”Dreger said back then. “Word is out that Nail Yakupov is available. The problem is, no one really wants him. Certainly not for the value that the Edmonton Oilers are going to need to get back in return. And you can see why. He had opportunities in this game early on. He scored one goal in his last 11 games. He was on the ice late in the game when the Blues scored to tie the hockey game. He’s an NHL worst -30. He lacks commitment. He thinks that skill is enough to be an NHL player. And the unfortunate reality for Nail Yakupov is that, yes, he’s a skilled player, but not an elite level skill player. And until he finds a way to absorb the message, the market on Nail Yakupov isn’t going to be great. They might have to package him with a collection of assets to get something better in return.”