The Edmonton Oilers will add some Russian flair to their defense this season.
Shakir Mukhamadullin, acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the Darnell Nurse trade earlier this summer, will arrive in Edmonton to crack the NHL roster. The Oilers will be the 24-year-old’s third NHL organization. The New Jersey Devils drafted him in 2020. In 2023, the Sharks acquired him via the Timo Meier trade.
Going from San Jose to Edmonton is quite an adjustment. Mukhamadullin opened up about the trade for the first time with Russian outlet Sports Express last week.
“A trade could happen any day, any moment. So, I was basically prepared for it. A couple of days before, I was told it was a possibility. So, I wasn’t expecting a trade, but I was prepared for it,” Mukhamadullin said in a translated transcript. “Honestly, I don’t like changing teams at all. I’ve played in the same place my whole life in Ufa, so it’s unusual for me. But that’s how it is now. And, I repeat, I’m happy to go to Edmonton.”
“The team is strong, currently fighting for the cup. And, again, I’m really enjoying this challenge.”
Oilers Expect Mukhamadullin to be Ready
The former first-round pick opened up about San Jose feeling like a second home, alongside his native Russia. He had finally started to get fully comfortable in the city before being traded.
Mukhamadullin will now have to start from scratch in Edmonton. However, he is actually anticipating the cold winters. He mentioned that the weather in the Alberta capital is similar to his hometown.
“When I was in San Jose, I always longed for winter. Now, maybe I’ll understand how nice it was there,” Mukhamadullin admitted. “The weather in Edmonton is about the same as in Ufa, so everything’s fine.”
Aside from the weather, the young defenseman will also be entering a much different situation in Edmonton than in San Jose. The Sharks are a young team in a non-traditional market, while the Oilers are an established Stanley Cup contender with one of the largest fan bases in the NHL.
Mukhamadullin seems to understand this and is looking forward to the change of pace.
“I was a bit nervous, to be honest. But I’m not afraid. I’m not going there for the cushy conditions,” Mukhamadullin said. ”I’m going to make the team, so I have to be prepared for anything.”
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