Only a matter of time before former first round pick is traded.

It's been a trade that has been rumored several times over the past two seasons, but it sounds like it may finally get done.

TSN's Ryan Rishaug revealed some harsh truths about the Oilers orgnaization on Thursday during a radio interview, specifically regarding how the organization views former first overall pick Nail Yakkupov.

“Yakupov will get some opportunity here but I just think when the opportunity comes they will move on from Nail,” said Rishaug as per the Edmonton Journal's David Staples.

Rishaug believes that the addition of both first round draft Jesse Puljujarvi as well as veteran Kris Versteeg to the right side of their forward group will finally allow the Oilers to get rid of Yakupov, something they've wanted to do for some time.

[pub]

"What that will allow the Oilers to do, in good conscience, turn the page on Yakupov without much of a return,” Rishaug said. “They’ve been loathe to do that to this point, and they’re not even the ones who drafted him, but it’s just hard to wrap your head around trading a first overall pick for basically next to nothing.”

He adds that the new Oilers management group headed by general manager Peter Chiarelli have had their chance to scout Yakupov effectively, and it's time to move forward even with little or no return.

Essentially, with Eberle, Puljujarvi, Kassian, Versteeg and Iiro Pakarinen, the clock is ticking on Yakupov. “Now you can move on from Yakupov in good conscience, knowing they’ve done their due diligence and they’ve backfilled properly.”

It now sounds like it's just a matter of time.