The agent for Edmonton Oilers winger Nail Yakupov said Monday night that he is concerned about the limited opportunity Yakupov is getting right now in Edmonton and that if the Oilers are unhappy with the second-year player, he would be open to a trade. Hall of Famer Igor Larionov said he is going to Edmonton to watch Yakupov, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, and to sit down with the organization.
"I'm going to Edmonton on Thursday to watch a couple games. Obviously a lot of questions, and I want to have some answers," Larionov said. "Let the kid play, enjoy the game. He's a hard-working kid. He's not lazy. He's got to be part of that team. You have to understand he's only 20 years old, he needs some support," Larionov said. "He's a goal-scorer. You've got to understand that and let the kid develop and play."
Larionov said he'd like to sit down with Eakins, whom he doesn't know. He said he already has had conversations with Edmonton general manager Craig MacTavish and made it clear that they would be open to a trade if the Oilers have soured on the forward.
"I asked Craig, I said, 'If you guys [are] not happy with him or you have no room for him ... we're willing to make a move. Any team,' " Larionov said. "That happens and that's part of life. Let's move on."
