Former first overall pick wants to make an NHL comeback

To say Yakupov's journey has been a rollercoaster would be a serious understatement. His beginning season did admittedly show promise, but considering his relatively high draft position, his average performance did not reflect and or justify that position by any means.

After a series of underwhelming seasons, the Oilers traded him to the St. Louis Blues in 2016. His NHL career continued to decline through his time with the Blues and later the Colorado Avalanche. Yakupov eventually left the NHL behind and made his way into the KHL, leaving behind a long and arduous career.

Yakupov went through many struggles and injuries in the KHL that he had to overcome. Despite this, he is preparing for a return to the NHL. He's been seen training alongside promising young players like Andrei Svechnikov and Matvei Michkov, showcasing hus commitment to improving himself to rejoin the big leagues and have another chance to prove himself as an NHL all star. A recent Instagram post further fueled speculation, showing Yakupov in Colorado Avalanche gear with the caption:

This post has ignited excitement among fans and analysts, with some insiders thinking that teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, known for their strong Russian roster, might offer him a tryout contract. TheMugNHL on Instagram recently hinted that several teams are indeed considering him, adding fuel to the fire as training camps approach.

As the hockey world theorizes, the question remains: can Yakupov reignite his NHL career, or will this be another chapter in a story of unfulfilled potential? His return could either mark a remarkable comeback or a brief revisit to the league he once left behind. Time will tell, but one thing is certain, Yakupov's attempt to return to the NHL is one of the most intriguing events of this summer.

As Read on OilersInsider - Yakupov's NHL comeback: from first overall pick to KHL and back?