Russia coach: Yakupov exclusion 'addition by subtraction'

Russian national coach Oleg Znarok may have saved his job with a win in the bronze medal game at the World Championship, which in turn frees up Nail Yakupov's September schedule.

After the win, Znarok called Yakupov's contentious exclusion from his roster "addition by subtraction," according to Russian reporter Slava Malamud.

The damning evaluation of the Edmonton Oilers former No. 1 pick surely seals his potential inclusion in the NHL-branded World Cup slated for this fall, though he was most certainly considered a long shot to earn one of the final few roster spots anyway.

Yakupov has helped Russia medal in major international competition on three occasions.