Just about 5 years ago, the Edmonton Oilers were coming off another treacherous season in which the team only amassed 74 points, finishing just in front of the last place Columbus BlueJackets. Since their loss in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, the team had struggled to put together a winning season and consequently found themselves drafting 1st overall. However, the 2012 NHL entry draft would not serve as the first time in the last five seasons that the Oilers would be choosing first overall. In 2010, The Oilers chose a swift and skilled left winger in Taylor Hall. In 2011, The Oilers selected a wise and talented center in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. In 2012, the Oilers selected a ‘sniper’ in right wing Nail Yakupov. The Oilers stockpile of 1st overall selections resulted in a slew of complaints from teams who accused the draft lottery system of being rigged. Many teams asked how they could possible compete with a team that would one day have an entire roster of 1st overall draft picks. However, despite this influx of talent, the team still continued to struggle as players who once showed promise failed to amount to their esteemed potential. In his past five seasons in the NHL, Nail Yakupov has managed to acquire 120 points and rack up 116 penalty minutes. These stats are underwhelming to say the least. Players chosen after Yakupov in the 2012 draft have managed to accumulate more than 200 points and less than 100 penalty minutes.

Yakupov has also missed 118 games in his 5 seasons and has not played a complete season in over two years. This past October, the former 1st overall pick was shipped to St. Louis for a minor league player and a draft pick. While Oilers management claimed that he just didn’t fit into their new system, Yakupov and his agent blamed the revolving door of coaches and upper level management for his inability to develop properly.

This past offseason, Yakupov signed a deal with the Colorado Avalanche. A team that, given their inability to score, will surely afford Yakupov top six minutes. The increase in playing time will hopefully result in the former phenom regaining his sea legs and resurrecting his career. However, several factors regarding this signing seem a little too familiar. Yakupov’s increased ice time will result in added fan pressure and an expectation for scoring. Additionally, Colorado’s management situation has been in a state of flux as of late. Many of the trades made by GM Joe Sakic have left fans scratching their heads. Finally, the team’s draft position in this year’s draft (5th overall)  says it all. Until this franchise gets some help, they can expect to continue drafting this high for the foreseeable future. So, Yakupov will experience lots of pressure to score, unstable management and coaching, and a team that will–most likely–pick in the top 5 again next year…Sound familiar?

If he is not able to return to his elite status in Colorado, this will likely be the final nail in Nail Yakupov’s coffin. Moreover, this would be the biggest ‘flop’ of a pick that the NHL has seen in over ten years. A tradition that the league, teams and fans all sincerely hope will not continue.