Dallas Eakins assures Nail Yakupov he's not being shopped
At Edmonton Oilers practice on Wednesday, Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins took former first overall pick Nail Yakupov aside. Yakupov, who was wearing a yellow jersey to signify that he's a probable healthy scratch in Edmonton's next game, was informed that the trade speculation surrounding him is baseless.
From broadcaster Jack Michaels:
Dallas Eakins wants Yakupov to realize that ALL supposed reports of his imminent trade are absolutely FALSE. Told him that today.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 6, 2013
And Sportsnet's Gene Princep
"All these reports of him being traded are 100% untrue. He is not being shopped." What Dallas Eakins said to Nail Yakupov at practice.
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) November 6, 2013
And the Edmonton Oilers official feed:
"He's a young player and we're not giving up on him." - Eakins on Yakupov. Coach referenced Thornton and Stamkos early struggles.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 6, 2013
For all of Eakins' bluster, the fact remains that so long as Yakupov is more regularly occupying the press box than he is filling the net, the trade rumours will persist.