5 players who could be next year’s Ryan Johansen

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Jan 26, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (64) on ice against the Nashville Predators at Rexall Place. The Oilers won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Nail Yakupov, Right Wing, Edmonton Oilers

The summer of 2015 should be interesting for Craig MacTavish and the Oilers, as they have not only Schultz but former first overall pick Nail Yakupov to re-sign.

While Yakupov had a very disappointing year in 2013-14 with just 11 goals in 63 games, it’s important not to overlook the fact that he scored at nearly a 30-goal pace in his rookie season as an 19 year-old.

He has all the talent in the world to be a top goal-scoring threat in the NHL, and with a better supporting cast this could be the year we see him start to fulfill that potential.

Edmonton has already hinted in the past that Yakupov was part of trade talks when the club was looking to bring in goaltending and defensive help. The question with Yakupov is, will the Oilers want to commit big dollars and a lot of years to a player who has been this inconsistent, even after one big season and if not, is Yakupov prepared to sign a bridge type of deal?