2012 Redraft: What if the Edmonton Oilers Didn’t Take Nail Yakupov?
T
The Hockey Writers
Summary: This is a summary of an article originally published by The Hockey Writers. Read the full original article here →
The 2012 NHL Draft remains a significant topic for Edmonton Oilers fans, primarily due to the selection of Nail Yakupov as the first overall pick. Hailed as a dynamic forward with an electrifying playing style, Yakupov was expected to be the franchise player the Oilers desperately needed. However, as the years passed, his performance fluctuated, leading to questions about whether the Oilers made the right choice.
In retrospect, many analysts argue that the Oilers could have benefited from selecting players who have since become stars in the league, such as Alex Galchenyuk or Morgan Rielly. The disappointment surrounding Yakupov is compounded by the Oilers' struggles to build a contending team around their first overall picks, which include stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. While McDavid has transformed into one of the league's best talents, the ghost of the 2012 draft lingers for fans as a reminder of what might have been.
As time moves forward, Yakupov's journey serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures of high expectations in the NHL. While he eventually played for several teams after his tenure with the Oilers, including the St. Louis Blues and the New Jersey Devils, his initial promise has yet to fully materialize into a successful NHL career. The ongoing debate over the 2012 draft highlights the unpredictability of player development in the league, where potential does not always guarantee success on the ice.
In retrospect, many analysts argue that the Oilers could have benefited from selecting players who have since become stars in the league, such as Alex Galchenyuk or Morgan Rielly. The disappointment surrounding Yakupov is compounded by the Oilers' struggles to build a contending team around their first overall picks, which include stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. While McDavid has transformed into one of the league's best talents, the ghost of the 2012 draft lingers for fans as a reminder of what might have been.
As time moves forward, Yakupov's journey serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures of high expectations in the NHL. While he eventually played for several teams after his tenure with the Oilers, including the St. Louis Blues and the New Jersey Devils, his initial promise has yet to fully materialize into a successful NHL career. The ongoing debate over the 2012 draft highlights the unpredictability of player development in the league, where potential does not always guarantee success on the ice.