Top 10 of 2012 – #8 Oilers “Nail” It, Then Get Schultz In Productive Summer

The Edmonton Oilers continued their not so quiet amassing of young offensive talent when they won the right to pick first overall at the 2012 NHL entry draft. Already having Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the fold, they added to that bounty of riches when they selected Sarnia forward Nail Yakupov first overall.

Yakupov is a winger with incredible hands and good speed, and will be a great fit with the young nucleus in Northern Alberta.

June 22, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nail Yakupov puts on a jersey after being selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

While some observers questioned the selection of another forward when the club lacked a presence on the blue line, that need was addressed a couple of weeks later when they won the Justin Schultz bidding war.  They added they young blueliner, who became a free agent after not being able to reach a deal in Anaheim, primarily because of the youthful potential of the club.

The Oilers of the near future might not be as explosive as the run and gun edition of the ’80s, but comparisons will be drawn as this team matures as a group.  Expectations will be high in a couple of years, and if the Oilers do end up reaching the top of the mountain, A couple of weeks in late June and early July 2012 will have a lot to do with it.