Yakupov’s dad: Nail won’t return to Sarnia

Sep 28, 2012, 12:08 PM EDT

The latest chapter of the Nail Yakupov comes courtesy his father, Rail Yakupov.

(Yes, Nail’s dad is named Rail.)

According to Puck Daddy’s Dmitry Chesnokov, the senior Yakupov says his son won’t return to OHL Sarnia — the club currently holding his rights — essentially ignoring a contract that’s at the crux of a transfer card controversy between the IIHF, Hockey Canada and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.

The senior Yakupov’s quotes appeared in Gazeta.ru, a Russian online newspaper covering politics and business.

Here’s more, from Chesnokov:

Yakupov’s dad says Nail will not go to Sarnia under any circumstances & if can’t play in the KHL will just stay in Russia to train. #Oilers

— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) September 28, 2012

Yakupov’s dad is sort of blaming his agent Igor Larionov for the fiasco, says “Larionov’s our agent now; don’t know about the future.”

— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) September 28, 2012

The feeling I got after reading Yakupov Sr’s quotes is that he doesn’t quite understand NHL-CHL contracts.

— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) September 28, 2012

Yesterday, Yahoo!’s Sunaya Sapurji reported that Yakupov is still under contract to Sarnia, which is why Hockey Canada didn’t sign his ITC to play for KHL club Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.

Despite not having an eligible transfer card, Yakupov played two games for Neftekhimik anyway — a move that resulted in his temporary suspension and a fine for the RIHF.

The bad blood now appears to be between the Yakupov camp and Sarnia, though there could be a third party involved. In an interview with Sport-Express, Rail Yakupov said that “someone’s trying to make money” out of the contract fiasco and alluded to “our Russian-speaking acquaintances from North America.”

Once again, the saga continues…

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8 Comments (Feed for Comments)

elvispocomo - Sep 28, 2012 at 12:27 PM

What’s that Oilers fans? You want to go back in time and trade down in the draft to get a defenceman?
eigglesnosuperbowls - Sep 28, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Iam tired hearing about this Yakoff !
travishenryskid - Sep 28, 2012 at 1:10 PM

I thought Grigorenko was the Russian that you couldn’t trust. Looks like people got that wrong.
lsxphotog - Sep 28, 2012 at 1:32 PM

Slowing becoming more Russian every day.
dutchman1350 - Sep 28, 2012 at 2:03 PM

Dear Edmonton Oilers,

Thank you.

Signed
The Columbus Blue Jackets, and their fans.
ThatGuy - Sep 28, 2012 at 2:58 PM

Ehhh, what the heck are you guys talking about? He is trying to play in Russia during the lockout just like a lot of other pro players. His ELC is signed and thus it would only be a lockout contract and he would be back in Edmonton as soon as the lockout ends.

Is it a crime that he wants to get paid for his services rather than make the Sarnia Stings owner more money exploiting teens?
hockeyflow33 - Sep 28, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Sarnia should show some class and sign the transfer.It’s unreal that they’d hold him back and not allow him to earn some money.
atwatercrushesokoye - Sep 29, 2012 at 12:19 AM

I don’t blame him for not wanting to go back and make $50 a week