Yakupov Discusses McDavids Future: I Have His Number, But We Havent Talked Recently

The forward of Omsk’s Avangard, Nail Yakupov, shared his thoughts on the potential departure of Canadian forward Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers.

«A person should be where they want to be. You can’t force someone to stay; you can try to convince them, but if their heart doesn’t lie in it, there could be issues. Connor needs to decide for himself whether he wants to remain in Edmonton or not. However, it would definitely be beneficial for the club, and any team would be lucky to have McDavid.

A contract for 20 million? It doesn’t matter, I’m not sure, but he is beloved by the entire city. He is a hockey phenomenon, a Canadian icon in Edmonton — a true idol. People would be very upset by his departure; he’s greatly appreciated and has made an immense contribution to our sport. Everyone enjoys watching his games. I have his number, but the last time we spoke was when I was leaving, and we haven’t kept in touch. My connections in the city are more with people outside of hockey,» Yakupov’s words are relayed by Championship correspondent Rustam Imamov.