Oilers activate Nail Yakupov from IR, to play against Sharks

Nail Yakupov, Brandon Davidson, Mark Letestu and Todd McLellan talk about the game in San Jose Thursday and McLellan returning for the first time since leaving the Sharks.

The Edmonton Oilers have activated forward Nail Yakupov from injured reserve and have sent defenceman Brad Hunt to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.

Yakupov hasn’t played since Nov. 23 after suffering a freak ankle injury when he was taken down by linesman Matt MacPherson after a faceoff against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The first-overall pick of the 2012 Draft has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) 22 games this year.

He has played in 214 games since being drafted, and scored his 100th career point earlier in the Carolina game.

Hunt, 27, has no points in six games this year with the Oilers.

Yakupov is expected to play on a line with newcomer Zack Kassian and Anton Lander against the San Jose Sharks Thursday night.

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