NHL draft’s top pick, Russian Nail Yakupov signs with Edmonton Oilers in a three-year deal
2012 NHL draft’s first overall pick, Nail Yakupov has been signed by Edmonton Oilers in a three-year entry-level deal.
In this three-year deal, his NHL salary would be $925,000, the highest amount that can be in an entry-level contract but he would have a huge cap hit of $3.775 million every year and that is because of high potential bonus of $2.85 million every year.
Edmonton Oilers’ general manager, Steve Tambellini, thinks that Nail Yakupov is a very talented and emerging hockey player, he would have a lot to offer in coming years and would become a very important part of their set up as he said,
“We're very happy to sign Nail to a three-year contract. He's an extremely talented and passionate young man who we feel will be an integral part of our team for many years to come”.
The 18-year-old, Russian national hockey player started his career in Minor Hockey League (MHL) back in his hometown, playing for his native city team, Reaktor Nizhnekamsk, before getting selected second overall by Sarnia Sting in 2010 Canadian Hockey League
(CHL) import draft.
He enjoyed two magnificent seasons in Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with Sarnia Sting as he scored 49 goals, 52 assists, a 101 total points in 65 games played in first season and scored 31 goals, 38 assists, and a 69 points total in the second season.
In between, he was thrice OHL rookie of the month, OHL rookie of the year, CHL rookie of the year, and rookie of the month.
Yakupov also played a great part in the Russian team’s 2011 World Junior under-18 championship campaign as he helped them winning the bronze medal by scoring hat-trick in the bronze medal match. He also won silver medal with team Russia in 2011-2012 world
junior championship.
Yakupov is naturally very excited to sign his first NHL contract and cannot wait for season to start as he said,
“I’m really excited about signing my first NHL contract. I can’t wait for the season to start. I’m excited for the opportunity to play in the NHL and with the Edmonton Oilers. I just want to help my team as much as I can.”
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