Last week, I wrote a column about Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and how playing behind a superstar like Connor McDavid has overshadowed his elite abilities. But there’s another player on the Oilers roster whose talent is even more overlooked, playing on the same team as two of the NHL’s biggest stars.
Related: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Has Become the Best Player in the World
That player is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a 31-year-old who is rarely recognized for his impressive play outside of Edmonton. That said, with Draisaitl and McDavid out of the lineup on Saturday versus the Seattle Kraken, Nugent-Hopkins reminded everyone how good he can be when he is driving the offence.
Nugent-Hopkins Steps Up When Needed
The Oilers, who are battling for first place in the Pacific Division, were dealt a blow last week when it was announced that both Draisaitl and McDavid would miss roughly a week due to injury. That put a ton of responsibility on Nugent-Hopkins’ shoulders, who was tasked with centreing the first line.
Instead of crumbling under the pressure, he played his best game of the season, scoring a hat trick in a 5-4 win over the Kraken. He was named the game’s first star after a vintage performance from the 2011 first-overall pick.
At one point, Nugent-Hopkins was the top-line centre for the team and one of their most reliable offensive weapons. He showcased that in his rookie season, scoring 18 goals and recording 52 points in 62 games. He continued to put up solid numbers the next few seasons before taking on a backseat role to McDavid and Draisaitl.
Nugent-Hopkins became the Oilers’ Swiss Army Knife, spending plenty of time on the wing and down the middle. His numbers never progressed as many expected (aside from a 104-point season in 2022-23), but he never once complained. Instead, he focused on becoming an excellent two-way presence.
The change to his game has made some forget that he still has a ton of offensive talent. Sure, his 104-point season was, in large part, due to the Oilers’ unbelievable power play, but when tasked with a bigger role, he has proven he can step up and deliver.
Nugent-Hopkins’ Confidence Has Elevated
McDavid and Draisaitl sidelined over the next few games could mean big things for Nugent-Hopkins as it’s been a long time since he’s been tasked with being the team’s play driver. He didn’t look out of place on Saturday, creating chances all night while still delivering on his defensive responsibilities.
Though Nugent-Hopkins may not be the type of player best suited to centreing a first line in the playoffs, Saturday was a reminder that he can do it when needed. Ideally, he’s a second-line player, who can produce some very solid offensive numbers on the wing or down the middle.
Related: Oilers May Benefit From Having McDavid and Draisaitl Out
That said, Nugent-Hopkins will continue to get an opportunity to show what he can do as a top-line man, as he will remain in that same role for the Oilers’ upcoming three games this week. The first will serve as a huge test against a Western Conference powerhouse in the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, followed up with another tilt against the Kraken the following evening. To end the week off, he and the Oilers will go up against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
Prior to last Saturday’s hat trick, His big three-point performance will go a long way in boosting his confidence for the playoffs, and he will have a huge opportunity to produce on the top line over these next few games. All of a sudden, what felt like a disappointing season could see the fan favourite hit the 60-point mark for the fifth time in his career.
