Breaking: Former first round pick has been traded!

Despite very strong rumors yesterday that Nail Yakupov would be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks we now know those rumors to be innacurate.

According to a report from Sportsnet insider John Shannon, the former first overall pick has in fact been traded but not to the Blackhawks, instead he has been acquired by the St. Louis Blues for a conditional draft pick.

This is yet another damning indictment of the Oilers scouting staff, and whatever the pick turns out to be, it certainly won't come anywhere close to a first overall deal.

As to why Chicago didn't get the deal done, while this is pure speculation, I would imagine their request the Oilers retain salary may have been the deal breaker.

More to come on this move.

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Update: According to the Blues the conditional pick is a third rounder in 2017 and they have also traded forward Zach Pochiro to the Oilers in this deal.

Update: The Oilers have reportedly made another move which would explain the motivation behind this deal our report can be seen here.