Former top pick Nail Yakupov signs with KHL’s Kunlun Red Star

Former first-overall NHL draft pick Nail Yakupov continues his hockey journey, signing a one-year deal with the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star.

A new chapter in Nail Yakupov's career. pic.twitter.com/TlRPfH8KZq

— KHL (@khl_eng) August 13, 2024

Yakupov, now 30 years old, appeared in 31 KHL games last season with Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik, recording eight goals and tallying 19 points. He’s spent the past seven seasons playing in the KHL, after a six-year NHL career which started with the Edmonton Oilers and included stops with the St Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche. Yakupov last played in the NHL in 2017-18, when he posted nine goals and 16 points in 58 games for the Avalanche.

Circling back to where it all began, unfortunately, Yakupov wasn’t able to live up to the hype and expectations as a top pick for the Oilers. After four seasons of disappointment in Edmonton, the Oilers decided to give up on their former first-overall pick and traded Yakupov to the Blues in exchange for Zach Pochiro and a conditional draft pick. Yakupov wasn’t able to provide consistent production to the Blues and moved on a year later, signing with the Avalanche.

At just 24 years old, Yakupov decided the NHL wasn’t the right fit for him and he made his way back home. His six-year career included 350 NHL games, scoring 62 goals and recording 142 points. He’s never made an appearance in a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

Despite his struggles at the NHL level, Yakupov has found his game in the KHL where he’s become an offensive weapon for a number of teams throughout his career, including with SKA St. Petersburg, Amur Khabarovsk, Avangard Omsk, and his hometown, and previously mentioned Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Yakupov’s KHL career to date includes scoring 72 goals and collecting 142 points in 242 games.

Yakupov has also enjoyed some success in the KHL, winning the 2020-21 KHL’s league championship – Gagarin Cup, chipping in with one goal and four points in 10 playoff games.