Yakupov was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, even though they were thin on defense.

He had been a great scorer for Sarnia in the Ontario Hockey League - he had 49 goals and 101 points in 65 games in 2010-11 and was named OHL Rookie of the Year - then had 31 goals and 69 points in 42 games the following season.

At age 19 Yakupov made the Oilers out of his first training camp. He played well in that lockout-shortened 2012-13 season with 17 goals and 31 points in 48 games, displaying much of the promise he had shown in major junior hockey.

He scored his first NHL goal in his second game, Jan. 22, 2013, on the power play in a 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks, and had five goals in his first eight games.

With Russia, Yakupov won a silver medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship and a bronze in 2013.