What Happened
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to make his season debut Thursday when the Edmonton Oilers host the Carolina Hurricanes, coach Mike Babcock told reporters following Tuesday's win over the Minnesota Wild. Nugent-Hopkins had not played this season after suffering a lower-body injury in practice before the opener in late September. He was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 1.
Key Details
- Nugent-Hopkins is expected to centre Edmonton's second line this season.
- The 33-year-old is in his 16th season with the Oilers, who drafted him first overall in 2011.
- He recorded 20 goals and 36 assists in 72 games last season.
- He has 804 points (291 goals, 513 assists) in 1,031 regular-season games with Edmonton.
- Edmonton is 7-1-1 and second in the Pacific Division behind Vegas.
What It Means
Edmonton adds a veteran top-six forward to a lineup that has opened 7-1-1 without him. Nugent-Hopkins gives the Oilers a proven second-line centre and a player who reached 20 goals for the seventh time last season, deepening the forward group as the schedule moves deeper into the fall.
What's Next
Nugent-Hopkins is expected to slot into Edmonton's second line Thursday against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes, his first game action since the injury.