Oilers' Yakupov: 'I love to be in Edmonton'

Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov told reporters Tuesday he has not asked for a trade and has no desire to leave the team.

"I don't want to talk about anything bad," Yakupov said. "I just want to say I'd like to be here. I love to be in Edmonton. I love the city, I love to play with these players. I've known for a couple of years a couple of guys. It's a great atmosphere with great people around, great staff, great equipment managers, doctors and everybody. I just want to be a part of the Oilers."

However, Yakupov did say he has been frustrated this season. The second-year forward has two goals, two assists and a minus-14 rating in 17 games. He's averaging 15:28 of ice time per game, but has been a healthy scratch twice and has played 11:08 or fewer in three straight games.

Taken by the Oilers with the first pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, Yakupov led all rookies last season with 17 goals and 31 points.

"I just want to play," Yakupov said. "I don't want to play nine or five minutes. I think I can play more and I can help my teammates to do something to get some points. We need points. I'm 20 years old and I think that's a pretty important year for me to learn how to play hockey.

"I just want to play, I want to help and I want to have fun. It's a simple thing. I want to play hockey."

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