Nail Yakupov might just have to employ a new tutor.

The Edmonton Oilers, primed to make considerable advances to their center-ice depth, are not expected to retain unrestricted free-agent forward Derek Roy, reports Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.

Roy struck a chord with Yakupov after a mid-season trade – helping the embattled former No. 1 pick produce 19 points over his last 27 games – and resuscitated his own career after flaming out with the Nashville Predators.

Edmonton is expected to have presumed No. 1 pick Connor McDavid and fellow centers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Anton Lander, and Boyd Gordon compete for spots in camp.