June 22, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Number three overall draft pick Alex Galchenyuk (left) and overall number one pick Nail Yakupov (center) and number two overall draft pick Ryan Murray observe the proceedings at the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This morning I caught a few minutes of the TV series called Oil Change on the NHL Network. The series basically has been a look into the Oilers everyday operations and lives of their players and prospects, very similar to what they do with the Winter Classic TV series. The series is besides the point though, in the very few minutes I watched this morning, the Oilers scouting staff and front office were discussing who to pick as the number one overall selection in the 2012 draft, Ryan Murray or Nail Yakupov. It then dawned on me, this could be the first year that we can compare these two side by side and see who may have potentially “won” in that years draft.
A similar situation just played out between Boston and Edmonton, as Tyler Seguin was traded to the Dallas Stars, everyone was stating that the Oilers, who selected Taylor Hall with their number one overall pick had made the right decision by not picking Seguin, who could have very well gone number one. So, will we see the emergence of Ryan Murray as a success for the Columbus Blue Jackets, maybe even leaving the Oilers feeling like they made the wrong decision.
Mar 3, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov (64) against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Last year Yakupov saw plenty of ice time for the Oilers and picked up 31 points in the shortened season, scoring 17 goals, and adding 14 assists. He certainty had a couple highlight reel moments, most notably, his celebration after scoring a goal in the dying seconds of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings.
I don’t know Ryan Murray personally, but I doubt we will see goal celebrations like that, I can imagine we will see late game heroics and highlight reel hits, goals, and assists though. The questions still remains if we will actually see him in a Blue Jackets jersey this year though.
So who will win the battle of best overall draft pick in 2012, only time will tell. This year though the Blue Jackets will face the Edmonton Oilers twice, once home, once away, both being in November. Maybe those two games with start the beginning of the debate of Ryan Murray Vs Nail Yakupov.