As an Oilers fan, by now you must know that cheering for this team requires you to ride through some bumps and this includes a lot of highs and lows. This is sometimes pure agony and sometimes pure ecstasy.
The last decade has seen a lot of this.
From the Cup finals to years of finishing just outside of playoff contention… then finishing dead last or next to dead last for a few years in a row…
What does this year hold in store?
The Oilers have traditionally been quick starters. Last year they were near the top of the division and league for a while before injuries struck.
Injuries can still happen even with a shortened season and the established quick pace.
But it’s hard not to believe – like Yakupov does – that there’s finally a reason to be excited.