Report: 1st overall pick admits he turned down offer from KHL
Keystone Press

Report: 1st overall pick admits he turned down offer from KHL

Wow… this could have been very interesting!

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

According to a report from KHL reporter and Russian hockey insider Igor Eronko, Colorado Avalanche forward Nail Yakupov had a contract offer from at least one team, SKA Saint Petersburg, but turned it down before signing with the Avs.


Wow… could you imagine the fallout if the former 1st overall draft pick bolted from the NHL to the KHL at just 23-years-old? Granted, the young Russian will never be the player people projected he’d be when he was selected 1st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, but Yakupov is still a valuable player, nonetheless.

Whether or not he can get his career back on track in Colorado remains to be seen, but clearly his heart is still in the NHL… for now.

Newsletter

Get the latest news and updates directly in your inbox.

Source: Igor Eronko
HockeyFeed

Stay ahead of the game with our exclusive hockey news, analysis and insider info.

© 2025 Attraction Web S.E.C. All rights reserved.