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Oilers forward Nail Yakupov to return vs. Coyotes

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (10) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (10) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers will be getting back forward Nail Yakupov on Tuesday as they face the Arizona Coyotes

The Edmonton Oilers currently have the third-worst record in the NHL. A large part of that is because they’ve had to deal with the long-term injuries of forwards Nail Yakupov and Connor McDavid. The Oilers will likely be getting Yakupov back on Tuesday when they square off against the Arizona Coyotes.

From NHL.com:

"“I think I’m ready to go. I want to help my team,” Yakupov said in comments tweeted by the Oilers.“There’s a chance [Yakupov] might be ready for [Tuesday],” Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. “I think he’s pretty darn close. He’s worked really hard.”"

Yakupov later said that his ankle “feels 100%” and that he’s good to go for Tuesday’s game.

Getting Nail Yakupov back will certainly help the Oilers. They will be able to get a better look at him to see if the former first overall pick is in their future plans. He has two goals and 12 points in 22 games this season and was beginning to look like the talent that the Oilers thought they had drafted before McDavid’s clavicle injury.

Expect Yakupov to play on either Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ forward line or Leon Draisaitl’s. He should also be a boost to their power play. The Oilers currently own the NHL’s fourth-worst power play (16.5 percent conversion rate). It could also help them boost their playoff chances. Despite having the NHL’s third worst record with 37 points, the Oilers are only five points away from a playoff spot. Getting McDavid and Yakupov back healthy could be key to a playoff run.

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