hockeyfanland.com

Are the Edmonton Oilers tilting towards selecting Nail Yakupov first overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?

According to the Edmonton Journal, the 18-year-old Russian "appears to have the inside track" with the Oilers -- for now.

Yakupov is scheduled to meet with the organization in Edmonton on Sunday. For his part, the teen is pretty pumped about the follow-up interview.

"For me it was great news," Yakupov said Thursday. "I'll probably meet the guys and the president and the GM -- just talking with the guys and see the dressing room and see the town."

But sources confirm he won't be the only one. And many still feel the Oilers could favor defenseman Ryan Murray. Assuming GM Steve Tambellini doesn't trade the pick.

ESPN.com Insider/Rumor Central

The HockeyFanLand Insight

I've said it several times in the past, my draft strategy is to pick the best player available not positional need. Yakupov, is by far away, ahead of his class. The Edmonton Oilers would make a monumental mistake not making him the selection.