If the Edmonton Oilers are going to trade Nail Yakupov this summer, it would seem doing it now is a good idea. Teams still have balls in the air, needs to be addressed, and problems they would like to get rid of before everyone hits the beach for summer. Where is the Russian phenom headed?

Among the items we might see this week are a massive trade for a RHD
(suspect it plays out in free-agent period); the RFA qualifying and a
new home for Nail.The fact Edmonton did not trade the
Russian at the draft suggests value was not high—and at this point the trade itself may be a sticky
wicket. Why?

Teams are in the process of solving their problems, and the
money (hello Montreal) is about to be spent in a quick hurry. If
we are to guess a return for Nail, it makes sense to cast about looking
for players who have developed an uneven past at the pro level. As Nail
makes $2.5 million we might look in that range (although Edmonton could
retain salary if it came to that in this transaction). Bob Stauffer has
mentioned Ryan Murphy recently, perhaps Ryan Sproul of the Detroit Red
Wings would also be an option. I believe Matty referenced Mark McNeill
of the Blackhawks as well during the period leading up to the draft.

Yakupov’s underlying numbers are not hopeless—in fact, there is some real promise here—but when you drill down and have a long look and who he was having success with, well, it explains the possession (Corsi) number.

Those were the main lines Nail played with last year (over 90 minutes), but he did have success with Hall—Leon, and also played well with Letestu—Korpikoski. All of that information is available in the Corsica link.

At this point, and you are going to hate it, I think bringing back Nail for another year might be the plan. If Peter Chiarelli is unable to trade him for true value, perhaps Yak comes back, plays better and increases his trade and or expansion draft value.

It is less than ideal. I am not arguing that the young man should be gifted McDavid minutes nor am I suggesting Edmonton stand pat in anticipation of the distant bell that represents the expansion draft. I am saying that trading Nail for what appears to be crappy value is a bad idea.

Thoughts?