Nail Yakupov spotted training with NHL star: returning to NHL?

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Tom Banks
August 3, 2024 (1:02 PM)

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Despite last appearing in the NHL back in 2018, 30-year old Nail Yaukpov remains in NHL shape, and a recent video has brought back plenty of speculation.

The Edmonton Oilers had four No. 1 overall picks in the 2010's, and while Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall have all become fantastic NHLers, the same can't be said for Nail Yakupov. While he brought plenty of hype behind him from Russia, Yakupov just couldn't cut it in the NHL, and after just six underwhelming seasons, he left the NHL after the 2017/18 season with the Colorado Avalanche.

Now however, it appears he may not be done, as a video has now surfaced on social media of his training alongside Andrei Svechnikov, igniting speculation that he may be looking to push for an NHL return.

Nail Yakupov is Andrei Svechnikov's new personal coach.

At 30-years of age, Yakupov is still in the shape needed to play in the NHL, but with none of his KHL seasons since 2018/19 seeing him score 30 or more points, it's unclear if he has the abilities to play at the top level. That has always been a question mark over Yakupov, and with so few teams around the league needing a player like him, it's unlikely that the interest is there.

However, it would make an incredible story for one of the modern NHL's biggest busts to return after six years to make himself a star, so while there's been no interest at this point, don't be surprised if a team looks to reclaim his career on a cheap deal.