BREAKING: Former First Overall Pick Scratched

After the Edmonton Oilers sent former first overall NHL Entry Draft pick Nail Yakupov to the St. Louis Blues, many fans were hoping that the Russian’s goal-scoring prowess and overall skills would shine through in what is considered a second chance with another team.

 

Sadly, that has not been the case.

 

The 23-year-old right wing has been off to a very mediocre start to the 2016-2017 regular season schedule, posting a mere two goals and four points through 11 games. Evidently, something is not clicking with Yakupov, and Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock has decided to make the enigmatic player a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game.

 

Fans have been clamoring in wonderment, questioning the validity behind this personnel decision, but it’s clear that the Blues have not necessarily needed him in the lineup as they’ve won two games in a row without Yakupov.

 

Tomorrow, they’ll face off against their Central Division rivals Chicago Blackhawks with the hopes of gaining a little leverage on the only team ahead of them within the division, as the Blackhawks have 19 point and the Blues have 16 in 13 games played.